DOCTOR'S TRAGIC DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

DOCTOR'S TRAGIC DEATH.

AFTER LIBEL CHARGE. A painful surprise was caused at Wisbech recently when it became known that the death had taken place, in tragic circumstances, of Dr. Horace Dimock, the doctor who was sent down to Wisbech to complete the borough panel, when several local doctors refused to serve under the Insurance Act. A day or two previously Dr.' Dimock was arrested on a charge of criminal libel, the information having been sworn by Dr. H. C. Meacock, of YViebech, chairman of the Isle of Ely branch of the British Medical Association. Dr. Dimock was taken before a magistrate and remanded on bail. It was stated by the prosecuting solicitor that the case would involve a mass of evidence, and probably further charges might be preferred against the accused. '"' Dr. Dimock, who has been very popular in the. town and district, declared to one o! his lolleagues on the panel, and to the chairman of the Isle of Elv Insurance Committee, that he was innocent of the charge prcforred against him. When He was appointed on the panel his coming led to much controversy. After being liberated" on bail, he attended to his patients as usual, they making no difference with reference "to the charge oil him. Next dav he went to London to interview the 'Medical Defence Union, but found that the oilier side had been before him; this was on a Saturday. Then he returned to Wisbech and gave certain instructions to his local solicitor in the evening, an d on Sunday he again attended to his patients, and told some not to call on .Monday, but to postpone their visit until Tuesday On Sunday evening he motored on his cycle to his father's home at Stretham near Ely. On going to bed he told the household not to disturb him, as he had had no sleep for three days. However at 9 o clock next morning his sister took m his shaving water. Later he was heard to be breathing heavily, and it was thought that he was so exhausted that lie had fallen asleep again. At noon his sister again entered the room and found him apparently unconscious. Two doctors were called in, and they pronounced life •extinct. It is understood that Dr. Dimock had taken morphia. Nearly 30 of his patients were waiting at the surgery at Wisbech when a notice was posted up that owing to his death the patients would be attended by the other two doctors on the panel. Dr. Dimock had a large practice, having much work outside tho Insurance Act. The closing of the panel had caused much controversy, and Dr. Dimock had received numerous anonymous letters dealing with his appointment. v