A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER'S STATUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12428, 18 February 1901, Page 2

A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER'S STATUS.

REMARKS BY THE CORONER.

The question 'of Dr Charles Russell's status as a medical man was raised on Saturday, at' the inquest at the Star and Garter Hotel, on the. late Emily, Emilia Carson, who died of phthisis, after having been attended by Dr Russell for fifteen months In addressing the jury Mr R. Eeetham, coroner, said, the case was similar to one he had investigated some months ago. In that ease he had received the evidence of Dr Russell in a case of death from cancer. The representative of a Medical Society had taken exception to that, and had reported the matter to the Department. In this case the report showed that the deceased girl had died of consumption, and her purposed examining Dr Russell, who had attended her. for the past thirteen months. It was not a question for the Government or medical societies, but of 'his discretion as a Coroner, as to tho evidence which should be submitted to the jury. What was the alternative? If the evidence of Dr Russell .was not admitted, the evidence of some medical man must bu procured,'and a pest mortem would 1 ' be necessary, and he was not'justified, under the. circumstances which surrounded the case in oidsring one. It would be an outrage to the feelings of the relatives of the .girl were he, to do so. Of course, if circumstances' demanded it,' he» would have no hesitation in ordering one, but it was not so here. He regretted he was not able to remunerate Dr Russell for his attendance to give evidence, but as he was not registered he couKl not do so. The evidence of Dr Russell was taken, as well as. that of other witnesses, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with Dr Russell's evidence that the deceased died from'phthisis.