A CHARGE AGAINST THE HOSPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2222, 28 October 1907, Page 2

A CHARGE AGAINST THE HOSPITAL.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —My hoy lias boon in tho public hospital for four months, and tho report to mo was he was always getting better. A week ago they turned him out for being mischievous. The doctor of tho hospital said to him, "You are quite well enough to go home.” Ho came homo, I saw he was very bad. 1 did not know what to clo with him. I took him back to tho hospital, and I saw the doctor. Ho said: “He was interfering with tho patients and I turned him out. If he came back here bo would have to behave himself.’' 1 told him to get his leg dressed, and they told mo that they were going 1o keep him in and keep him in bed. . Miss Stewart had been complaining to the doctor about him, so tho doctor told mo. On Saturday morning, a little boy camo to mo and he said, “How is Joe, and is h© home,” and I said “No.” Tho little boy said, “Take him out of there or they will 'kill him. Olio man passed a boot to another and fired-it at him, and hit him on tho bad leg,” Tho littlo boy said, “It very near Hit me. If it had it would have knocked me into smithereens.”

Last Saturday I met Hr. Schumacher. I said to him I was going up to take my boy out. I was always getting some bad reports. I loft him and went straight up and demanded the boy. The doctor said to me, “His temperature is very high, and you had better not take him out.” I said I was determined to take him out. The doctor said, “What was the report?” I said, “A little boy ■that was in hero said thoy cliased him all around tbo place.” He said it was a lie. “Why did you not tell me,” he said; “would you’sooner believo other people than us?” He said, “Come and ask Joe yourself.” I said, “Wo will both go togother, and you ask him,” which the doctor did. Joe said, “Yes, that man over there did it.” The doctor then'started to cross-question him. Then I said, “That will do, he answered your question.” I took him out. I took him to the private hospital to Mrs. Ilarnie’s, and telephoned for Dr. Collins. Three doctors came, Hr. Collins, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Scott. Dr. Collins came first. He said the boy was in a bad state. Then came Dr. Williams. Ho said tlie boy was in a disgraceful state. Then walked in Dr. Scott, and said it was a horrible thing. Then they agreed after consultation not to delay an operation. At five o’clock three doctors arrived. I stopped there, and they started the operation with tlie attempt to try and save his leg. After they opened it up a little they saw there was no hojie. I was called in, and they said, “Look at your boy’s leg.” I had a look, but I could not look too long. Then I told them to save his life if they could. They said there was no other hope, but to take it off, which they did. This shows tho public wliat the hospital doctors must have known when they told mo he was improving fast. On Saturday morning, when Dr. Collins had taken his temperature, he was 102. I asked, when I first put him in to the hospital, the Trustees, Captain Tucker and Mr. Matthews whether they would let Dr. Collins in to see my boy. On one occasion I asked Captain Tucker, and the tears were in my eyes, and lie said the doctors were quarrelling between pile another, and they could not do it. I then went to Mr. Matthews, and asked him would lie do it. He said he could not do it on his own, but he said thero was Dr. Scott, anil he was a clever man ; “get liini.” I went straight up to Dr. Scott, and I told him what Mr. Matthews said. He said, “If Morrison says so I’ll go twice; let him ring me up.” Then I rang up the hospital, and Miss Stewart answered, and I asked her was Dr. Morrison there, and she said he might be there soon. Then I said. "Tell him to ring up Dr. Scott.” when 1 went up she asked me what I meant trying to snea'k something on to the doctor. I said “No. I rang up Dr. Morrison to consent to let Dr. Scott come up and interview my boy.” Then I went over to Dr. Morrison, and lie said, “What about Dr. Cole? ’ I said, “Very well, anyone.” Dr. Colo went up next day. He ordered some treatment that was not carried out. Then he said, “I did not see Dr. Morrison when I went up, hut they cannot say now they don’t know wliat is the matter I left a written statement.” His statement corresponded with Dr. Collins’ when lie ordered him to the hospital. When it was too late to mend I fell in. My hoy now lies in tlio private hospital with his leg off. If there is a God Almighty would He see into this?— I am, etc., JAMES O’DOWD, ICaiti. N.B.—Tlie hoy’s name is Joe O’Dowd. Gisborne, Oct. 26.