"INDIAN HERB ATAH."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 13

"INDIAN HERB ATAH."

SALAMAN IN POLICE COURT.

FALSE PRETENCES ALLEGED.

USE .OF TITLE " DOCTOR."

PRESCRIPTIONS TO PATIENTS.

"'These are cases of barefaced quackery," said Mr. A. H. Johnstone, in conducting a prosecution in the Police Court, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., yesterday, on behalf of the Health Department, against Abraham Waller Mohamid Salamau (Mr. Osburnc Lilly), for three alleged instances of false pretences, or alternatively attempted false pretences. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Johnstone said it was alleged that. Salamau, who had described himself as an "Indian Herb Atah," had falsely represented that he was a doctor, and was skilled in the treatment of physical ailments, and had on this pretence obtained sums of money from three specified individuals.

Mrs. Elsie Pricker stated she had been receiving treatment for an affection of the arm and a minor spinal complaint, from Dr. Share, a qualified Indian medical practitioner. She benefited by this treatment, but told Dr. Share she would like to visit Salamau. He told her to please herself, and, in Company with a nurse, witness called at Salamau s shop on March 21. Customers were so numerous that, after waiting for nearly an hour and a half, witness left, after making an appointment. She returned on March 24, and waited in the backyard while some Maoris were treated by defendant. Witness described the backyard as "absolutely filthy," and said this fact decided her that Salamau was not a bona fide doctor. " Very Bad Bloodpoisoning.** The nurse said: "Are you Dr. Salamau V and he replied. "Yes. yes." He. then applied a stethoscope to witness' ear, and said, "Wry, very bad bloodpoisoning, but 1 will cure you." The nurse asked: "What about diet, doctor?" and defendant advised. "Eat plentv of fish."

A large book was then produced, and witness said she would take a week's supply of medicine. For I6s she received two bcttlrs of medicine, one plaster, one box of pills, and three boxes of capsules. Since she had seen the Maoris receiving large supplies of what was apparently identical medicine, witness was sceptical of its efficacy for her ailment, and took her supply untouched to Dr. Share. He forwarded it to the Health Department for analysis. Mr. Osburnc Lilly: Did Dr. Share tell you to go to Salaman ?—No, he advised me to please myself. Did Dr. Share tell you to ask Salaman if he was a doctor ?—No.

Did you believe he was a doctor?—l did until I saw the filthy place. You were not misled after seeing the place ?—I did not feel inclined to try the medicine when I saw everybody getting the same. I saw "Indian 'Herb Atah," on the window, and I gave the stuff to Dr. Share because I doubted it contained herbs.

Detective Knight gave evidence concerning a statement he obtained from Salaman in 1922, to the effect that he had been a dyer and silk merchant before commencing business as an "Atah." Defendant had not since studied pharmacy to witness' knowledge. He offered to exhibit testimonials. Patient Who Feigned Illness. "\ . R. Shiells stated he was perfectly healthy, but went to Salaman and represented he was ailing. Defendant described himself as Dr. Salaman, and placed a stetbescopo on witness's neck, asking witness if ho suffered from pains in' the back. Witness replied that when he was resting he experienced a pain which almost, vanished when ho began working. Ralaman said: "That would be a tumour, I will cure you quite easily." Witness was supplied with two bottles of medicine, a plaster, and several boxes of pills for 15s. He delivered these to Dr. Share, and they were analysed by an officer of the Health Department. Mr. Osburne Lilly: You had nothing the matter with you and Dr. Share sent you to Salaman ? —Yes. Who gavo you the money for the medicine ?—lt was my own money. Has Dr. Share promised to give you the money ?—There may be some payment later on.

Did you think defendant was a doctor ? —I have heard him called all sorts of things. It might have been discussed with Dr. Share, that I should ask Salaman if he was a doctor.

Counsel for defendant commented on witness' feigned complaint and said that every doctor was helped by a patient's description of an ailment. Mr. Poynton: But Salaman claims to diagnoso a person's ills as soon as he sees him come into the room. "Stethoscope Used to Impress." H. L. Lenden stated he had suffered from pains in the chest and visited Salaman. Witness inquired if an operation was ivecessary, and after applying his stethescopc to witness' jaw, defendant said, "I can cure you easily with herbs." Salaman described himself as "The Doctor Herbalist" when questioned by witness.

Dr. B. S. Share said he had known Salaman for five years. Ho had commenced the acquaintanceship because he heard Salaman was a chemist and he thought an Indian chemist might be of assistance to him in his profession. When, however, ho found that Salaman was a dyer, he afforded him his patronage by sending him some clothes to dye. Witness understood Salaman could not write his own language, and was a. man of poor education and without scientific knowledge. Defendant told witness he used no herbs in his preparations, and merely employed the stethescope to impress patients. "It does not matter what a person is .suffering from ; everybody gets the same medicine," added witness. Mr. Osbnrne Lilly: Why did you semi Shiells to SalaniM ?'— To assist the authorities.

Has Salaman done your business harm ? —I thought he was not worth considering. Prsstigc o! the Profession.

What was your object ?—My duty to the public and' the desire to maintain the prestige of the profession. Witness added he had repeatedly informed inquirers he was not "the Indian doctor who claimed the unvarying and miraculous cures."' Mr. Osburue Lilly suggested that questions of caste and religion may have prejudiced witness against Salaman. Witness denied thcio was any animosity on this account. Mr. Johnstone submitted that Salaman's operations were obviously those of ii "quack." An analysis of the medicines prescribed for the various •' patients " had disclosed that they were practically identical despite the diversity of the alleged ailments. For the defence Mr. Osburne Lilly said it would bo absurd t6«contend the witnesses had actually been deceived by Salaman. or had thought they were dealing with a medical practitioner. For the charge of false pretences to succeed. it would have to be established that the witnesses had paid money to defendant thinking they were obtaining a prescription from a qualified doctor. They worn obviously sceptical when they visited Salaman.

Llefendant did nut advertise thai he could effort, cures, and people came to him without any such soliciting. Ho had rnany testimonials for cures. Mi". Poynkm: Anybody can get tosti nu.nials. Decision was reserved. i\fr. Johnstone intimated that a further charge for breach of the Medical Practitioners Act., by using the title of "Doctor," was preferred against defendant, and asked for an adjournment on this count pending derision upon the. Other charges. This was granted by the magistrate.