TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 429, 7 August 1915, Page 6

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

MEDICAL OFFICERS’ EVIDENCE.

OVERC ROWDING AT BERHAMPORE.

Wellington, Aug. 7. At the Trentham Commission today Major Elliott, replying to the statement by Col. Gibbon, charging him with the responsibility’ for the Berbampore Hospital in the absence of Col. Purdy, said he merely promised in attend to anything which came up. He undertook no responsibility for Trentham or the Expeditionary Force. In answer to Justice Ilosking. Major Elliot t said there was a medical corps in New Zealand, the members of which were not called on for assistance during the epidemic. Col. Purdy said that automatically the principal medical officer of the district acted. For a time, in his absence. Major El.iott was to per form such personal services as he was called upon for, but hee was not to exercise an initiative. Ho was not in any way responsible for tany overcrowding at Berhampore. Regarding the Medical Corps, Co-1. Purdy said there was a reserve of officers, including medical men. These could not be called on, as of right, for service with the expeditionary forces, but would probably have given aid willingly if asked. Regarding Berhampore, Col. Purdy’ said that up to the 25th May, there never had been more than 40 patients there. On the 27tlr May lie went io Trentham and told the medical officers there that no more patients were lo be taken in. They, however, had two marquees erected and in six days *4 patients were sent in. making a total on June Ist of 104. Two more marquees were then erected. On the 31st May-, Major Elliott, who had visited the hospital at witness’ request, and told him the place was overcrowded. Witness then sent in Sergt. Yallop with instructions that no more cases were to be taken, and similar instructions were given to the medical officers at the, camp. Considering the cases witness calculated that discharges would reduce the number to 58, and by the sth June this was done. Berhampore was sufficient for the accommodation of 104 cases for a single night if needed. On Ist June he (witness) saw the likelihood of the epidemic, and had the five marquees erected at the earn]) to hold 80 patients, and told the officers, they’ could have as many more as were necessary’. Commandeering the Berhampore School had been suggested to him, but he considered it impossible to take the building.