"CRAFT AND CUNNING."

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 October 1908, Page 1

"CRAFT AND CUNNING."

A SENSATIONAL CASE. SYDNEY MEDICAL INSTITUTE. An action brought by Robert Grimson against Howard Freeman and Dr Richard Wallace to recover compensation for alleged neglect and unskilful treatment, and on a guarantee alleged to have been given that defendants would cure him, was heard in Sydney last. week. Damages were laid at £IOOO. Defendants denied the negligence charged, and further pleaded that it was a term and condition of the agreement that plaintiff would follow out the direction and use the treatment prescribed by defendant Freeman, but that he neglected and failed to do so. "Notwithstanding one's best efforts

to maintain an undisturbed calmness," said the judge after evidence had been given, "feelings of abhorrence arise. It may be that in using these words, I am using words not, strictly apposite to a judge of a Court of Justice. But I think there are occasions when in the public interest, however strong the desire of a judge may be to preserve a mind truly un-

disturbed, ho should give fairly full expression to his feelings. For, I may say, cruel cunning, unmeasured audacity, and hypocritical pretence, I doubt whether the courts of this colonly disclose a caso to which these epithets more justly apply. It is a

strong illustration of "man's inhumanity to man." The circumstances of this case show to us human nature in one of its worst forms. The whole atmosphere of the institution,

I may say, reeks with wickedness. It is only men with callous dispositions hearts of stone, steeled perhaps by their hunger for money, who could trade upon their fellow men. When I call your ottention to a few thisgs you will be satisfied that the observa-

tions I have made, no matter how strong, are fully justified. In the minds of some men they may be thought to fall far short'of the demerits of this particular case, which are- absolutely inexcusable, to deal with this caso simply upon its mer-

His Honour then dealt with the answers sent by defendants to plaintiff's letters. "To show the deceit of these people by way of catching the unwary and creduohts, who have ' not the timo to think deeply," he said, "how they are cajoled and lured on to (his spider's nest, take this statement printed at the top of their paper: "For information as to our business or professional standing and integrity wo refer to all mercantile agencies, banks, and warehouses in Sydney." "Can you conceive," added his Honour, "anyhing more gross and wicked to gi\H' effect to the iniquitous aims and ends of these people. I wonder how many banks would allow these peoplo to refer to them for a recommendation ; haw many respectable mercantile men would do so? It is the way they cajole the people." 'The public did not know, said his Honour, what went on inside the walls of these institutions. Mr Justice Cohen then came to the letter from the defendants to plaintiff, which he called the "stock" letter because, lie said, the first three pages of it were pages not written especially for plaintiff. They were kept in stock to send to anyone. From the first of the letter, his Honour said they would see how cruel and heartless it was. He then read the letter : Dear Sir, —Replying to your communication which reached us by yesterdays mail, enclosing answers given to the best of our knowledge concerning your condition and health, we must inform you that without a doubt yours is a very complicated case, and the ailments in evidence therein include many deep-seated and obscure symptoms, which severally and collectively have weakened and debilitated your system to such an extent that a comparatively long time must elapse before your complaints can be thoroughly cured. Wo may say (hat had you consulted us in the initial stages of your ailment not only would the task of restoration have been considerably easier, but this matter of expense would also have been much less. Notwithstanding what wc may hereinafter, say, we must certainly (ell you (hat yours is not the worst case we have had to deal with during our thirty-live years' practice as specialists in private and nervous complaints. Rut slill the severity thereof is sufficient to demand immediate attention. As surely as constant dripping wears a stone, so surely your ailments will if left unchecked, bring your mental and bodily destruction. "If it were a word suitable for these courts, I might say this was devilish," interposed his Honour. He then read on : Your ease calls for (he skill of a clever and expert specialist, and is not one where the aid of an ordinary general medical practitioner Would prove of much value. The latter is often Jack of all trades in the treatment of diseases ; and while he may bo very clever in treating ordinary cases within the scope of his everyday practice, yet where (here are specific (roubles to combat, a.s in your case, the special knowledge possessed by the specialist as the result of many years experience is what is absolutely required. We estimate, after careful and considerable thought that it will take at least from four to five months before we can have you thoroughly cured; and our fees for (he treatment, and (he guaranteed cure will be £24, less the £1 paid. These deplorable messages, said his Honour in cosclusion, were apparently sent to 570,000 peoplo. [The cable informed us that plaintiff was awarded £450 damages, the jury adding a, rider urging that measures be taken to suppress all such pernicious institutions as the one is question.]

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PICTURES.—We have a few dozen shop-soiled pictures, usual price 3s 6d and 4s 6d. Reduced to Is 6d each, also bevelled mirror panels, scratched in'transit. These will be sold at prices that must cftect a clearance.—S. Mills and Son, Picturo Arcade, Mackay street.—Advt.