DOCTORS CHARGED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9720, 24 July 1917, Page 6

DOCTORS CHARGED

RECRUITING REVELATIONS RECRUITS SAID TO BE DRUGGED.

An extraordinary story of an alleged conspiracy to “dope” recruits in order to defeat the provisions of the Military Service Act was investigated recently at Bow street Police Court. Bight persons were charged, two of them medical practitioners. Their names are: Dr Andrew Mackenzie Ross Sinclair, 52, of Parson’s Green, S.W. ; Dr George Harry Bishop, 46, of Leman street,,. E. ; Benjamin Gvantway, surveyor; John Trichter, solicitor’s clerk; Thomas Stiling, recruiting office messenger; Maurice Wand, insurance inspector; David Morley, insurance manager; and Thomas Elvans, insurance manager.

Mr Travers Humphreys, who appeared for Che Public Prosecutor, in opening tho case, said it was alleged against the defendants that they had been engaged in a scheme by which, in considcrtion of certain payments, men might be classed in a lower class than that for which they wore really fitted. It was obvious that slicb a scheme could only be carried into effect by some member of tho Medical Board being a party to it. Evidence would be given to show that certain persons wore taken to see Dr Sinclair in his capacity as a private medical practitioner in order that lie might be a/bjo' to rccognlise them again when they came before him in his capacity an a member of one of the Medical Boards at Whitehall. Tho person whose duty it is to take recruits into the several board rooms for examination was the defendant Stiling, and it would be shown that he was informed by Dr Sinclair that certain recifcits wore coming up- and that they wore to bo brought in to him. DOSING. OR DOPING.

It would bo alleged .against the defendant, Dr Bishdp, that ho had a part in the arrangement, and that when ho examined a man and found that ho could not honestly be classified for service in Class C 3 he would proceed to dose him, or "dope” him, in order that ho might get into a sufficiently bad state of health to deceive the independent doctor. A wholesale furrier named Gordon, said counsel, had obtained temporary exemption. Ho was represented before the Tribunal by a firm named Jonas and Co., whoso clerk, Trichter, ho met- He also mot Wand and Morley, who told him that the price of a C 3 certificate was £IOO. Grantway said, however, that it could be done for £65. Gordon, who had already .been classified Cl, went to the War Office, and a man named Bennett was selected by the police to be introduced to the conspiracy. Gordon took Bennett to Trickier, who said, "You bring the money in Treasury notes, and I will take you to Grantway to fix it up.’ He was introduced to Grantway, who said that he could get him, a C 3 cerIflSoato for £IOO. Dr Bishop gave Bennett a certificate to the effect that he had been given to wbisky-drinking, that his heart was dilated, and that the apex was displaced. In reality he was extremely temperate. Later Trichter said to Bennett, "You had better have some medicine,” and mentioned that a certain doctor would supply >“throe bottles for £25.” THK DOCTOR’S PILLS.

Dr Bishop, said counsel, gave. Bennett nine pills and told him to take throe three times a day, adding, “Don’t be alarmed if they give you a headache. They are quite harmless, lam giving. them to you to make your heart boat faster.” Bennett took srx of the pills and handed the other thijee to Captain Lucy for analysis. Later he saw Bishop again, who said, “Your heart’s very fast. I think now you can go and see Sir James Mackenzie.” Bishop gave the man nine more pills to take before going to the Medical Board, and later again saw him. Gtantway, said, counsel, instructea Bennett to see Sir James Mackenzie and Dr Sinclair, saying, “You have to come from him (Sinclair) to me with £lls in Treasury- notes.. If you get C 3 I’ll keep / the lot. If you are unfortunate enough to get C2 I’ll only keep £40.” Sir James Mackenzie saw Bennett and gave him a certificate. Bennett went to Sinclair, who told him to be at Whitehall at 1.30 to see an attendant named Tom. The notes, said counsel, wore provided by Captain Lilcy. “Tom” turned out to he Stiling, and after being taken to the room Bennett was classified CS.

, Sir Janies Mackenzie was somewhat puzzled about Bennett’s condition, and wrote to Dr Bishop to that effect. He had since examined Bennett, and found that the size of his heart had now decreased to normal, while the rate of the beats had decreased from 120 to 90 per minute. The pills contained a drug which would increase the beats and would frequently cause palpitation! Counsel also told of how a man named Gordon, who it was arranged should pay £llO, was taken to see Dr Sinclair and was eventually classified C 3.

Evidence of arrest was given, and the case adjourned until Juno 7th.