MEDICAL TESTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 March 1925, Page 3

MEDICAL TESTS.

BLOOD AND HANDWRITING. DTTNDAS MACKENZIE CASE. .B'r TSLKGBAPH JPRKSS ASSOCIATION.} 'AUCKLAND; "March 16. Hie sixth day of hearing of the application hv the Medical Board to have he name of Henry Dnndas Mackenzie truck off the roll was reached to-dav. Dr. Mackenzie, who began his evidence on Thursday, was under further ross-exa mi nation by Mr. Meredith. In eply to a question by Mr. Meredith, daclcenzie said he had a notice in his .urgery “no cures guaranteed.” He bought-it was put up in July, 1922, mder instructions, from Sail Francisco, .living to the possibility of actions at aw. This was due to the mef|iods of he American Medical Association. Apparently it ; was of no use in a court. .Vitness remembered receiving blood samples from Dr. Todd and Mr, “F.” le had tested blood received through lie post on two or three occasions. Witness remembered the first occasion n which “F.” seat him some. Ho .brew it in the wastepaper basket, folowing the instructions of his solicitor. e, was afraid it might, be a trap. Vitness could not trust the blood, so he tested the handwriting. The' same e.sults could be obtained from handwriting as from blood. The results would have been the same had the blood been genuine. Witness had no reason to test the blbod, as lie had no suspicion that “F.” was a fraud. A" iiagnosis was made on the handwriting ■ml a reply, written by witness’ clerk, vas sent. Witness did not know about nislnke in sex. . He knew his letter was (•ii| to ‘‘Mrs. F.” There was no qncsioii of testing for sex. That test ■ould Fie made on a machine. As far as vitness knew, the mistake with .the adIress was the clerk’s. Dr. Pettitt had nade 1 lie same diagnosis on tlie letter. iVitness did not know where to find lie letter. In the test made there were •list over seven ohms of carcinosis. Kive to eight was a' dangerous condition. In this case witness got seven Vom “F.’s” It should be understood that seven from ‘‘F.” was different from live from The whole value of treatment was altered during the past year. Witness thought it would be difficult to find a book showing the danger zone as having been altered from between five and eight. The delicacy of the tests had been altered, but not the danger zone. What was looked on as b.2. would probably be looked on as seven or eight to-dav.. 'Hie danger •'.one was different- for individuals.. It was- just the same as a man drinking whisky. One drink would affect one man,, while it might not affect another. It was a question of resistance, and the letter sent by witness was meant :o indicate that the sooner be came for treatment the less he would require. Wasn’ it a direct attempt to frighten this man into coming to you hot foot?

No. The third sample of blood from “F” was put i« the. waste • paper

basket. In the same way had five opportunities of checking the first diagnosis, and did not take advantage ot one of them. Witness did not think it made any difference whether lie told “F” he was not testing the blood. The judge said he wanted, the position cleared up. Witness stated in reply to his Honor’s question that lie tested “Fls” first sample of handwriting. Three letters were received from “F,” a sample of blood being enclosed in esich. His Honor: Dr. Mackenzie, if I, as a medical man, were to tell you that i-our condition was such that you might be in Waikumete within a week, would that be likely to please or displease you ? Witness: In tlie present condition 1 don’t know whether it would please me or not, your Honor. It would only make me- set. my house in order, Sir; that is ail. (Daughter). Justice Herdman: I see then, life.is not worth much. Witness: At best, this life is a short arid passing one. One can only do one’s best. (Laughter). His Honor: Humph: you seem to be content, anyway. His Honor : In the last letter from “F,” dated December 14, 1923, that gentleman asked: “Does tlie blood test indicate improvement?”' and he was referring to the blood sample sent with that letter. Dr. 'Mackenzie : Yes. Proceeding, his Honor said that in his answer Mackenzie stated, that *|by continuing your present line of action the time is fast approaching when treatment will be useless. You' are steadily becoming worse, .and medicine will not help you'.” What possible justification, did you have for making that statement- when you had only tested one sample of handwriting? Dr. Mackenzie: Tlie condition from • that test was progressive, and dangerously progressive.. s' . Ilis Honor: How did you know it had progressed? Look here, Dr. Mackenzie. This man sent you a sample for testing, and lie sent you letters,! .and to the third letter . you? -tell hjm he is steadily becoming worse. Wind did you base it on? \ Dr. Mackenzie: On the clinical bis torv of hundreds of cases. Dnndas Mackenzie’s evidence concluded late this afternoon, and two; of his patients then gave evidence regarding tlie benefits received from bis treatment. The case was adjourned toll to morrow.