Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1906. THE CRAZE FOR OPERATIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1906, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1906. THE CRAZE FOR OPERATIONS.

V UKKHtTKB of tlu« Now Zealand Herald has ascertained the views of ...;..,,.,•,,I Auckland doctors regarding ,1,,, statement thai a t'l'azn for surgical ,|„.iMti»nt* exists ..II ill" part of a ~,,.;,, w . cl ion "f ill" I 1 " 1 ' 1 "'- Sovur.il ,1 ilie doctors declined to niako a stutollK'llt on thu subject, holding it was not a matt or for lay discussion, but other practitioners gave the reporter the benefit of their views, which, it will be seen., to a largo extent bear out the assertion as to the ruling craze for operations." There is no doubt," said the first doctor who was seen, " that there is a tendency to operate far too much nowadays. The result is that the art of diagnosis is being neglected or lost sight of to a great extent. I remember the time when the best doctors would spend hour after hour making a careful diagnosis, and they took a pride m this work. Now, instead of making the same endeavors to ascertain the nature of an ailment, there is it widespread tendency to say 'Open him up and have a look.' There are a lot of people who take a delight in having u crowd of doctors round them, and very often quite unnecessary, ami which could be well avoided by a rest in be.l for n little while. If a practitioner will not operate they will go ,'lsewhere and have it done. I am juito sure there are many cases of appendicitis now operated for which could be equally well dealt with by medical treatment and the rest cure." The testimony of the next doctor who was seen by the interviewer was equally emphatic. The practice of operating, lie said, simply to find out what is tin).matter is very general, too prevalent altogether. As to whether there was a craze on the part of the patients themselves for operations he said that was the general experience of the profession, and it was a singular thing that this craze was possessed by women in a far greater degree than by men. Any surgeon could say that women have far greater courage, 01 what may bo called surgical courage than men. Ho had known women gt very cheerfully to (heir third abdominal operation. Ho had also known (hem, the day before (hey were to undergo a serious operation, to be writing their ordinary correspondence and talking about things in genoral, without being in the. slightest degree perturbed. As a rule patients are carried into the operating room after being chloroformed, but he had known women to decline this assistance, and to walk to the table apparently quite unconcernedly, withoutwaiting for the anaesthetic to be first administered. Women aro an easy first in (hose mailers. With men (he •xperioncc was the reverse. Many men have to be absolutely convinced if the necessity of an operation. In iact, he had known men to put off an operation for appendicitis until it was almost too late. The doctor added that ho believed the craze for operations was only a passing fancy, and that a reaction would shortly take place, when people began to realise that there was no necessity for so many operations, which often disclosed nothing that could not be treated medically, "They will," as he niMtkcdi "wpt it) fcnmv why the doc

tors open so many' people's bodies simply to sew them up again," Another surgeon said that whilst it was true that a mania for operations existed in a large degree, it should be stated that is largely counter-balanced by the shrinkage of many from really necessary i operations, which, if they were carried out, would be the means of saving untold misery, and even life itself.. He added, however, that with other surgeons, he thought matters of this kind: could only be satisfactorily discussed by professional men.

Members of Trinity Choir will please note that a practice will be held this evening at 7.30 p.m. Holders of invitations are reminded that the Mawhera dance lakes place it Englert's Hall to-night.—Advt.

The business people intend to observe a half-holiday on Thursday and Friday (Greymoulh Races), closing" both davs at 12.30 p.m.

Tenders for the erection of shops and dwellings in Tainui .street have been extended to Tuesday, May 29th. Particulars may be obtained from,Mr J. Weaver, Blaketown.

Mr T. Green announces in another column that luncheon may bo obtained at the outside booth at the Grcymouth races, also tea and refreshments at any hour of the day. The Secretary requests us to state that Hopkins scored the goal for the ; Y.M.B.C. in their match against Kanieri"iin Saturday, and not Smith, as reported yesterday.

Owing to the strong run in the river, dredging operations alongside the wharf have been hampered, and" very little work could be done during the last week or ten days.

Mr G. J. Roberts, West, Coast Commissioner to the Exhibition, visited i Greymouth yesterday in connection with Exhibition matters, and returned last evening to Hokitika. '■''•• A break-down of the Tyneside machinery took place yesterday afternoon, which it will take until the end of the week to repair. There will be no work ijaJl repairs are effected. Special inducements are offered to those who delight in the "mazy circle of the waltz" by the patrons of' the dance to be held in Englert's Hall on Thursday evening next.

Mr 1). Hyndman, liotelkeeper, of Stillwater, has purchased both booths at the Grcymouth races, to be held on Thursday and Friday. Only the best brands of spirits, wines, etc will be stocked - Advt.

Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for the erection of an extension to the Kumar a Hospital. Plans, etc, may be seen at the Post Offices Kumara and Hokitika, and at the Public Works Office, Greymoulh,

.- A very pleasant evening can be spent by attending the skating rink at Cobdei) to-morrow night, when one of those plea sant little social functions will take place. The proprietor has left no stone unturned to ensure patrons enjoying a right royal time.

Advice from Holrilika states ihat the Rev. .Mr Douglas's licnlth is not yet as satisfactory as could be wished, lie being still roiilined to his room. Careful nursing for some lime yet will, it is expected, be required before he will bo able io get about again. The coal export last week constituted a record for the port, viz, 8237 tons. The (State Mine also put out a larger expofe than ever before—sol 3 tons. Orders are plentiful, and, if only the shipping was nndelayed, last week's ligures would have easily been topped. The contractor for the extension of the No. 3 sludge channel, tvumara, has made a start with the work. We understand that a distance of about 500 feet is to be driven, and when completed it will give access to a considerable quantity of payable ground near Larrikins. A firo at Mr Uawe's farm on the Ara-hura-llokitika road on Sunday night destroyed a house, which was occupied at the" time by three young men, who are employed at Malfroy's sawmill. They lost the whole of their 'belongings, the place being completely destroyed. Mr James Colvin, M.H.R., has written to the head of the Tourist Department, requesting that an officer be sent down to the Buller district to "writcup" the beauties of the overland journey, \ia Brighton to Greymouth; the Duller Gorge and adjacent tourist attractions, and of the Manna Hot Springs district. . Messrs C. J. Berry and J. Hambleton, Justices of the Peace, presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning, wnen a mail named (den was charged with the theft of a gladstonc travelling bag of the value of Dlo. the property of I'. N. Kingswell, of Rcefton. Tile Bench granted a remand till Monday next, and allowed bail in accused £2s'and a surety of £26. Owing to several small portions being missing', the erection of the new liyraulic moveable crane on the Greymouth wharf has been delayed. These parts have now come to hand', and it is the intention uf the Railway Department to commence Iho erection, which will take place on the new wharf next week. .Simultaneously with this work, it is intended to strengthen the wharf between the lower hyraulie crane and the recent wharf extension. A social and dance, in aid of the Otira School funds, will be hold in the schoolroom, Otira, on Friday evening, May 20, the admission being: Gents, 3s; ladies free. This is a new school, having iust been erected by the Westland Education Uoard. The Committee, headed by their energetic secretary, Mr L. Barrow-man, are working hard' to make the gathering tiie greatest success of the kind yet held in the Otira district. A grand plain and fancy dress ball will be held in Kave's Hall, at Brunnerton, tomorrow night to celebrate the anniversary id the Brunuer Druids' Lodge. Dancing' will be commenced at 8 p.m. to the strains of music from an efficient orchestra, while an M.C. will have control of the floor. The energetic etforts of the Committee should result iu a record attendance, combined with a convivial and enjoyable social. The Kokatahi and Arahura butter factories close down for the season at the end of next week. They will resume operations about the end of September. Both factories have had a very successful season, and the Arahura Factory, although started after the season commenced, lias done better than was expected. It is fully anticipated that there will be a large increase in the number of cows in

the coming season. Mr J. Rochford, manager of the Kitmara water races, has now two parlies prospecting—one on the flat close to the town, and the other in the vicinity of the Lamplough. Most sanguine hopes are entertained of the latter place, and all old miners are confident of gold existing there. The locality has been the scene of many private prospecting narties in former years, which points to the fact that a strong belief existed that gold was likely to be found there .

There was a good attendance at the St. Columba Club last night, when a debate, •'Should Bachelors be taxed/' was the subject of the evening's programme. Messrs White, Fogarty, M. Phillips and the Rev. Father Taylor supported the affirmative and Messrs Hansbery, Butler, Dully and Simon defended the bachelors. After an interesting and humorous discussion, the judge's'verdict was given in favor of the affirmative side. "Trial by

Jury" is the item on the syllabus for next Monday evening. Messrs Drake and Muir, contractors for (he erection of Mrs McDonnell's brick building in Tainui street, opposite the Post v.mce, are milking good progress with the work. Great difficulty was experienced with getting in the foundations, which had to be excavated through fine sand, varying from six to eleven feet. The greater portion of these have been finished, and the brick walls of the building at the south end are well advanced, notwithstanding the bad weather, which is hampering the progress of the work.

The initial mooting of the Reading Club in connection with the Trinity Young .Men's Institute, was held in Trinity Hall last evening. The President Jlr 11. 1). Edwards') gavo an excellent resume of Thackeray's "Henry Esmond," which was much appreciated by those present. It was decided to read' several chapters of the book at each meeting, the next to bo held on Monday, .June V|lh. Mr J. B. Merrett has intimated his intention of presenting a prize tu the member who writes the best essay on the selected book.

All those employed in outdoor workbricklayers, carpenters, wharf hands, ipiarrynien, bnsliinen, and laborers generally, are having a hard time of it owing to the continuous wet and cold weather, for, in addition to the discomfort, (hey are losers in consoqquenco of the broken ■time. If the winter continues as it has set in, the lot of these hard workers will be none too pleasant j(> anticipate. A recent visitor to the Otira railway works informs us the men are having a 'very rough time. During the recent storm they had their tents and whares blown down, and since then have experienced only two or three fine days. The display of Kaiapoi woollen manufactures, which has been made in the windows of Tymons and Co., has attracted a great deal of attention the last few days, and a roaring trade has been done in a great many of the lines. The weather ; has been extremely cold, and people have | recognised the need of warm and good I clothing. There is a certain proportion I of cotton worked into material, but with Kaiapoi goods only pure wool is used. Tymons and Co's window is very tastefully dressed with boys' jerseys, etc., the whole being picked out with little touches of colour. Few firms make such goodshows us Tymons and Co., and no firm in iho colony can approach thorn in cheapness, Victors to town during the holidaya should not {nil to vinvr the windows (.{; Uiia firm* I

. Mr G. J._Eoherts, thß West 1 Coasfc Commissioner for the Exhibition, leaves' for Christchurch at the end of the week to attend an important meeting bf;theE|>; hibition Executive. ■■ The Lake County Press received word last week that the.snow on the ranges was very deep, and at Walter Peak and Mount Nicholas Station some 17,000 sheetf' were snow-bound. A considerable nuMf ber of men were engaged on the stations named snow-raking. " Last night was a particularly.-boisteri cms one, a heavy gale howling for several hours. The thermometer went down very low and at nine o'clock to-day,stood at 44 degrees. There was a heavy fall of snow during the night o nthe Paparoa Ranges. • r

A survey as being made of a proposed track to connect McLean's Creek witn the Seven Mile Road. -The tra J ck, for winch £IOO Zlf a T Qt h r? ye rnade a grant of ™„ * . ? 'F Count >" Councilf will be

and try them " M> N °°" an s stor °- . The Railway Department is suhsfW„f mg brass footwarm&s for the old paUet handle and "he striki, „ & W P of tho the blade can he ad "ftedft^n 7 W^ h to the handle, thusToi™ mfjrf" necessity of at anv tin!? ' y - Vlth the than the one club! 7 * C&TTym Z mor *

The sale of the late Mr D n, -j » Perties took place on Kdas a f fe ton, and resulted in the R„L Eeef--I'crty of twelve acres w H, f ohstm J a , nro " £370, and the ', ' house fe tchin s t>»ry and Mr fiv»„./' «, " J - Scantleand LaW^CoJLft 8 Auck]a " d Trades munberof VucS i.-. meet f ng t . hat • a : discharged and Sh„ g " lakers their pla es under I om P%ed in fed to pureha": fron Vjfi* t fof3ole^ he o f P S° iSt***** raging indications Af u are enc°athe (Svvn iti; steted plac , e n « aru canKt'rnM Still , P 'y tlleir nefarious caning at Cobden. A resident „f v Street complains of the loss of SL?" fpparel and towels from a fence on 3 I'ey were drying, while in other cases building material has "walked » u; that a woman's footsteps were traced to' a certain property, fron. which a number of fowls were alleged to have been taken' Tin, 1 ,.'!' 0 , Vi V de , n '? Court at Stafford on lliur clay last, before R. Aeheson, Esq garden, S. Stewart sued S. Betty for£2l os, rent due on residence area. Judgment was given for amount with costs. ° g Batclulor v An Coon and others, £54 13s 6d rent due. Adjourned for three months Ah Lome, surrender of extended claim.--tu used. John iiernan, extension of water race.—Granted. S. R. Havill extendod claim, Callaghans. - Granted bnme, tail race, Callaghans. - Granted: J. Marzoni water race, Callaghan's—4cce tedl ' sun ' endcr of ta » rac eIt is an opportune time for cyclists to nave their cycles renovated during the next few months. The Byko repairing uepartment is now in full swing, and cycles are repaired from blow-outs in covers vulcanising, up to the building of new frames, etc., by first-class workmen. The ever-famous Raleigh bicycle, which is such a favorite with the cycling public owing to its durable qualities, can be purchased at the Byko, besides several other famous.brands. We advise our readers who wish to buy a new or second hand lady s or gent's cycle or require any repairs executed to visit this establishment, near the Post Office. A meeting of the Executive of the nest I.oast Hockey Association was held yesterday afternoon. The following players were re-classified as juniors :—Messrs T. Campbell, J,. Lord, Kempthorne, Heaphy, Pedrazzi, G Ring, M White, T Barry, j.! letrie, P. Galvin. The applications of I, Lord and F. Denton were held over for one month. A sub-committee was empowered to purchase two trophies—one for senior and the other for junior competition—aS a cost of £lO. Referees were appointed is follows :—Thursday, May 24th, at 3p.m— Knmara v. Y.M.B.C, Mr A. E. West Saturday, May 26th, at 3.30 p.m.—Hokitika v. St. Columba. Mr MacDonald.

An accident remarkable for its euddenliess happened at the tougue wharf, Dunedin, a few days ago. One of the New Zealand Express Company's drivers, G. Jlayward by name, endeavored to squeeze (lis horse and dray past, a number of other vehicles, when one of the wheels of the dray went over the. side of (he wharf. The driver probably saved his life by springing dear immediately, hut it was all over with the horse. For a second tho poor animal made a pathetic attempt to hold on to the walling of the wharf, but a heavy timber lifter came at him with a crash, and all fell together into 20ft of water. A great splash, a floating nosobag, the air-bubbles ascending from the drowning animal—and it was all over. The attention of our readers is directed to an advertisement in this issue relating I j the new competition to be held in connection with Tiger Teas. Two words aro required to complete a sentence, and a prize of £ls will be divided amongst those who correctly supply the missing words. Anyone may take part in the competition, provided they have purchased a packet of the Tiger Tea, which may be obtained from M. Noonan, Greymouth agent. The object of these competitions is, of course, to induce as many as possible to buy a packet of this well-known tea, the proprietors being confident that its sterling qualities will commend it to anyone giving it a fair trial. We advise tlioso who want good tea to call at Noonan's store at once.

Everything, even the hardest diamond, wears out, and the time comes when a bicycle becomes unfit for use, and has cither to be repaired or replaced by a new machine. The Byko, situated opposite the Post Office, Tainui street, keeps a large selection of the world's best bi. cycles— Rovers, Raleighs, Humuers, Swifts, etc., which are too well known for their sterling qualities Jo need comment by our pen, and which" can be inspected by intending purchasers and others interested in high-grade cycles. Tho Byko is noted for the excellent repairs oxocuted at their repair works, and patrons can rely on a first-class job being done at a moderate price. A number of good second-hand bicycles suitablo for business

men and workmen are being offered at I iw figures.