WOMAN'S CLAIM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 December 1924, Page 5

WOMAN'S CLAIM.

HERBALIST SUED. ; 7 „ 1 GOITRE “CURE.” [ FURTHER DETAILS. 2 (by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. h AUCKLAND, Dec. 1. ■> The case was continued before Mr. 7 Justice Stringer and a special jury of 1 twelve in the Supreme Court to-day, [ when Agnes Wright Stewart, a single ; woman, proceeded against Abram ; Walley Mahomed Salaman, of Khyber Pass, who describes himself as an In- | dian herbalist, claiming £2250 as general damages and £24 3s as special damages for alleged negligence and for pain caused by his treatment from October, 1923, to August, 1924. Mr. Stringer, with Mr. McLiver, appeared tor the plaintiff, and Mr. Luxford, with Mr. Finlay, for the defendant. Continuing his address, counsel said unfortunately, friends came to see plaintiff, who advised against an operation and told her of “a wonderful man” (Salaman), who could cure her without an operation. Naturally a woman in her nervous condition was ony too glad to be treated by this astonishing person of such marvellous powers, if he could successfully treat her. Salaman w r as sent for. He placed a stethescope to the sufferer’s neck, and when he wasinformed an operation had been advised, he told her: “Your kidneys are very badly strained. One lung is practically gone and water is just one inch from your heart, and if you do not treatment in one week it will be drowned.” He. told her the goitre was only a minor thing and he would see to that after. Counsel then described what he term6cl the extraordinary mixtures of mediernes which Salaman gave plaintiff. To an interjection from Mr. Luxford, Mr. Stringer declared that Salaman was in this case accused of fraud. Plaintiff’s sister also consulted him, anff he made an extraordinary, examination of her. by placing a stethescope on her neck and ankle. He said she had rheumatism of the akle and prescribed the same marvellous mixtures as lie had given the sister with goitre, whilst lie treated the crushed ribs of the mother by attaching a battery to the electric light and putting the curren to the ribs, giving her some piasters to be applied in the same manner a s were the plasters for her daughter. Not for nearly a year after his treatment was it discovered that the real basis of Salaman’s treatment was opium, as a result of which plaintiff had contracted the opium habit, and it was questionable whether her condition could be successfully treated. Counsel contended that to have given a patient opi *™ in this wa y was an act of fraud, and that jt was fraudulent for defendant to have given the patient prohibited medicines. Dr Share was usin'* every endeavour to break plaintiff ol the opium habit, and Dr. Horton had latterly seen the patient and was alarmed with the change in her condition in the twelve months which had elapsed , since he had previously examined her. An operation at the present stage was ' noiv absolutely impossible, the doctors declared.

™,S yid ? ll?e Z°r. the plaintiff was commenced, including that of doctors. The case was_ then adjourned and will be continued to-morrow.