CHARGE FOR AN OPERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16673, 18 October 1917, Page 6

CHARGE FOR AN OPERATION.

DOCTORS'CLAIM SUCCEEDS. A case in which Drs. P. H. Macdonald, Otahuhu, and W. G. Scott, Onehunga (Mr. A. E. Skelton), sued Captain Colbeck (Mr. Ostler), for the sum of £80, was heard before Mr. E. C.Cutten, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. ~"

It was stated by counsel that Dr. Macdonald had been called in to attend the defendant's son in December, 1913. He had found it necessary to operate for appendicitis, and consequently summoned Dr. Scott. After the operation had been performed, complications had set in, and three subsequent operations had been necessitated., The total amount of surgical and. medical ■ fees was £150. .' Of this sum Captain Colbeck ; had paid £70, an d' the claim was for the balance of .the amount. Dr. Macdonald, ill evidence,, gave details of the operations, and said he did not consider there had been any carelessness in the attention to the wound. The boy went home on -February 5 completely cured. - He had charged at the rate of 7s 6d a day and £5 5s for each of v the operations. v Dr." Scott's charge was r £25. This he'considered very reasonable. Until then he had not ■. heard it' alleged ; : . that there had ; been any unskilful [■ treatment either by ■ himself or. Dr. Scott. : Drs. F. W. Gordon : and "Neil . MacDougal gave evidence to the -effect that the treatment, as' far as they could judge, was correct,-and that the appendix had been; properly removed. The charges were reasonable. / ;.' : ;. : '.'■-'■'•VvS'^.

: Evidence was given by , the defendant to the effect that Dr. Macdonald stated that the first operation was ' successful, and that the patient should make a speedy recovery. When the boy did not recover the suggestion of improper dieting made, and subsequently Dr. Macdonald told defendant that : another : -v : operation '■was .necessary. The boy had not yet completely recovered from the operations/ and defendant was of opinion that he never would." He thought:that; if no mistake had been made the first operation .would have been sufficient. In cross-examination Captain-: Colbeck stated that he had never suggested calling in;another doctor, and he did not: tax j Dr. Macdonald with .'unskilful . treatment. 'He considered > both doctors, and i nurses had done ; their best. i, :■ Percy Prank Colbeck, upon whom the operations .were performed, stated that : he had received constant attention from the nurses. He had been fed on,biscuits; nuts, and cheese six days after the \ first, operation. : He confirmed Dr. Macdonald's evidence concerning his treatment. Judgment was . given for plaintiffs ' for the amount claimed, and costs £10 . 19s W,