CLAIM AGAINST DOCTOR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 8

CLAIM AGAINST DOCTOR

SUCCEEDS AT GISBORNE. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Nov. 7. The hearing of a claim for £ISOO damages for alleged negligent treatment was concluded in the Supreme Court this afternoon before Mr Justice Ostler. The claim was made by Brian Pelham Dods in respect of an operation performed on ids left hand at the public hospital, and defendant is Dr R. J. B. Hall, medical superintendent. The statement of claim alleged that plaintiff was suffering from an injury to the ring finger of his left hand and consented to removal of the finger. The statement alleged that the middle finger as well as the ring finger was removed and plaintiff was therefore unable to continue his occupation as a butcher.

Dr. Russell Thomas, a house surgeon at the Cook Hospital, gave evidence that he performed the actual operation. Witness said the hand was prepared for the operation by means of a table placed at right angles on the patient’s legs. One of the nurses held up the affected arm and witness painted the whole hand with iodine. The next step was to place a sterile towel on the table and witness then placed a simila.r towel between the ring finger to isolate the finger to be operated on. The patient moved and contaminated the towels, and the whole thing had to be done again. Witness repainted the hand and was just going to place a towel between the fingers as before when Dr. Hall asked him to put it round the wrist, as it tended to obstruct the operation in the previous position. Witness did so, and the arm up to the shoulder was covered with sterile cloths and the operation commenced. , Witness took hold of the hand and indicated a spot on the hand and asked Dr. Hall if he would begin there. Dr. Hall then indicated a joint nearer the knuckle. Witness evidently then had the wrong finger. His Honour: And he showed you oil the wrong finger the place where the first cut ought to be made?

Witness; Yes. . . , He confirmed the position for the commencement of the operation and he proceeded to amputate the finger. Dr. Hall was watching all the time and directing the operation. Dr. Hall turned to leave the room when the operation was over and witness then discovered what had happened ana called him back. It was witness who first noticed the mistake and drew Di. Hall’s attention to it. , , The technique which witness had first used in isolating the affected finger was that to which he had .always been accustomed. He was certain that in the first instance he had isolated the right finger. . Dr. Richard J. B. Hall, medical superintendent at the Cook Hospital, gave evidence as to the operation. He said that lie gave instructions to put on fresh sterile guards after the patient s convulsive movement. After that was done, continued witness, Dr Thomas grasped the hand and, indicating a point asked whether he should stait there. Witness said: “No; nearer the knuckle.” , Witness did not point out the exact spot were the incision was to be made. The fingers were not all visible then. Witness did not observe that Dr Thomas was amputating the wrong finder. Witness was present most of the time, but was, not watching the operation all the time. His Honour-.Your presence was as medical superintendent directing the operation? Dr Hall; I was exercising general supervision. Witness stated that his duties included the administration of the hospital on the medical side and frequently he left the theatre during minor operations. On this occasion he believed he left the room, but was not quite certain. D>- Thomas was quite capable as a surgeon. Judgment was given for plaintiff, but His Honour reserved his decision as to the amount.