HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17215, 18 January 1918, Page 5

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

(Peb United Peess Association.) • GISBOKNE, January 17. Tho Hospital was continued today. Ur Walter Rcovc, a, member of the honorary medical stall', said that he as.' superintondent during the superintendent's*; holiday. Ho reviewed cases of unrest afcij tho hospital, which he attributed to at--tempts to enforco discipline among therj stall' after a long torm of luxity. Witness,; was questioned by Mr Myers, counsel for. tho petitioners, regarding certain allega- ■■ t:ons against Dr Jiowie, medical snpetia—H' tendent at tho hospital. Referring to the caso of Mrs White, whcWi was operated on in March, Mr Mycra '. asked: Who performed tho operation? Witness: Dr Bowie and L

Did anything happen in the first opera- A lion that should not havo been done?— Yes, tho bladder was opened whon perhapa. it was not desirable. Was it an accident?— Tea; cmo which. often happens in highly-skilled hands. That necessitated several operations?— ' Yes. Do you remember, shortly after the operation, being in chargo of the hospital and something being reported to you J —Yes; the sister showed me a swab which had boon removed from the body. Tho dresa-. ing should not havo fallen into the bladder. The presence of the dressing was the fault of tho dresser who dressed the wound. So tho presence of tho dressing hi the , wound was not due to any fault of' Dγ Bowie?—Oh, no. , Have you heard any statements from De t Bowie detrimental of Matron Tait?—Yes; *„ ho- said she was laokinjr in tact, did not t< handlo tho nurses properly, and on one -' occasion he referred to her as suffering , •"' from delusions. Do you remember when ho told you about; r> her?— About a year ago. Have you discussed tho matter with him s j nco ?—No. I do not remember what tho details we.ro, but I know there was friction between the two heads of tho institution at tho time.

You have seen the matron over and oveir again? —Yes. Ilayo you noticed any justification for any; statements derogatory ?—No, certainly not. Tho Commissioner (Mr Bishop, SJM.): What was the impression. Dr Bowie left in your mind when ho said sh<> wa9 suffering .from delusions? —Ordinarily, when that is said wo think tboy aro rapidly qualifying for a mental hospital. That was tho, im-, pression mado in my mind. Mr Wauchop (ono of the parties): Which, of course, meant that bho was moro or less ■ incapable of conducting: her duties, and, of. courso, you would consider her _a groat danger? Did you, take that moaning from; what Dr Bowie said —that she was in such • a mental state that eho could not carry on lirr work?— Yes.

Was not this what Dr Bowio said: Thati Vl sho was Buffering from delusions of persecu- ...»;■ tion by Drs Collins and Scott, and that hb . ') was in leaguo with tho nurses? Is that, not what he conveyed to you?—Ho might-, ; , have said something of that kind. But I want you to remember, ior it means a great deal to a medcal man, and, of , course, you want to soe fair play to a . brother doctor.—Ho commonced toy saying: "I am something , of a specialist iri mental disease, and I havo been watching the : matron over pinco sho camo to tho institution, and she is suffering from delusions."

Ho referred to delusions of persecutions. Wits that- not it?— No.

Then, tho impression ho left on you waa that the matron was miul ?—That is a ratHer heavy definition. Thero are many degree* of mental affliction. Other witnesses examined wero Dr Kanlonborp- and Dr Wilson (ox-srupcrinteTKksrrts at tho hospital), and G. W. Humphreys (exchairman of the board).

TiK> inquiry is developing slowly. The principal quc6tione so far folate to tho re- , situation, undor nrcesoro hy tno matron, of Nurso Higffins for insubordination amJ hor siibscqncnfc rornstatompnt and transfer after hvtniry V>T departmental offioors and , iho Minister nnd tho troatmont of certain 'J ervfoifio rasw: iiicladinj? that of Mre White, , at tho hospital. Tbo inepicr toH be cantilxatd te-aoerow. I