A DOCTOR’S METHODS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 March 1925, Page 5

A DOCTOR’S METHODS.

DIAGNOSES OF CANCER, INQUIRY AT AUCKLAND. (BY TELEGRAPH —PrESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, March 11. The hearing of, the. ease in, which an application is being made under the Medical Practitioners Act to have the name of Henry Dundas Mackenzie, a medical practitioner, of Auckland, removed from the register was continued in the Supreme Court to-day. , A middle-aged married woman sajd she consulted Mackenzie- for haemorrhage, and he told her she was very ill With ean.cer and he, was afraid he could not cure her. He advised her not to see another doctor, a,s it. would mean an operation. He said she might as well cut her throat. She did not have treatment from Mackenzie. Other doctors she consulted told her she had not cancer. Dr. Grant, in evidence, said there was no chance of this woman's trouble being cancer. Dr. Abbot said he examined this woman and found not the slighted suggestion of cancer. Her organs Were (absolutely normal. A. woman aged 81 stated in, evidence that she went to see- Mackenzie about her ear. Mackenzie said it was cancer. She had one treatment. “1 went to Dr. Harclie Neil, later; he soon cui-ed it, but I forget how long it took,” she said. ■Cross-examined by Mr. Dickson, the witness said: “I remember Dr. Harclie Neil coming out with, Mr. MeNab, a solicitor. He had a type-written statement when, he came. It was already prepared for me to sign. 1 forget whether I signed it or not.”

The daughter of the last witness deposed to having accompanied her mother to see Mackenzie in May, 1921. The old lady had sore ears. Both were sore inside arid the ears could be seen inflamed at the back, Mackenzie looked inside and said; “What am T up against? . I will have to. take a drop of blood from the ear.” Next day he said she had cancer in. her ears. Tie said he could cure her in about a fortnight with treatment at two guineas per day. Witness and her mother decided not to go back. They went to Dr. Kenneth, Mackenzie., and then to Dr. Tlardie Neil on the day after gping to -.Mackenzie. After a fortnight’s treatment by Dr. Haidie Neil the ,ears were- -all right.

Dr. Hardie Neil .stated 'in evidence that the old lady was sent to him by Dr. Kenneth Mackenzie in, April, 1921. Witness found a. boil in the left ear. The other ear was negligible. Witness did net know at the time that Mackenzie ,hacl> stated it was cancer. Witness could, net see on what grounds >ai diagnosis of cancer could have been arrived at. Cancer in, the ear, apart, from that, occurring on the rim, was extraordinarily rare. There was no ease on record of cancer appearing in both, ears at once. It a man. came across two such cases he would have to get someone to revise his ideas. To the judge the witness said: “There is no instance of cancer beinv cured without an operation. To my knowledge there is no authenticated instance. ’ ’ To. Mr. Myers: “I will swear that when the mother and daughter came to me they did. not say a. word about Dr. Dun.das Mackenzie and his diagnosis.' It was not till, some time after that I heard they had been, to him. I don’t regard it ,as a remarkable thing that they did not mention that Mackenzie had told them she had cancer. A person who has cancer diagnosed in, her is likely to be very much worried. It is quite, a. :-ommon thing for the patient not to refer to the diagnosis.” Witness stated that, the type-written statement was what had been, made by the old lady previously. Dr. TTardie Neil said he could not deny he told them that Mackenzie had been recklessly diagnosing cancer where no cancer existed. Mr. Myers said that in this case and in one other case the defendant- would tell the court that he did not diagnose cancer. The next witness was a labourer, who said he went to Mackenzie on March 13. 1923, and after an examination! was told by Mackenzie that he had got an inherited disease, and it would turn to onac-er. He said he could cure it in 21 days by taking treatment. • “He did not give me any time to- decide whether I would take his treatment before he called in a nurse and told her to cure me as quickly as possible,’’ said the witness. He charged him £2 2s. The treatment started next day. The nurse painted witness’ throat “with a red material which spoilt my shirt. I then, went home. I had to pay him another guinea.” (Laughter.) After the third day he did not return to Mackenzie. He had not recovered.,

To Mr. Dickson : “I have had two operations since I went to Mackenzie It is not better. Mackenzie tolcl unit would turni into cancer if 1 did not take his treatment.”

Dr. Hardie Neil deposed to having made an. examination, of the last witness’ throat in 1923. He. would not say there was anything that should suggest, cancer. To Mr. Myers: “He will have a. bad throat as long n« he lives.” Evidence was given regarding other diagnoses, and the sending of samples of lamb’s blood, which was diagnosed by Mackenzie as showing carcinoma of the small intestine. One. sample of donkey’s blood was diagnosed as showing n TB lung and streptococci, and a. second sample as luces congenital and acquired. In recra.rd to, another sample Mackenzie said : “The time is approaching when treatment would be useless. ’ ’

The case was adjourned till to, morrow.