HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 46

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

- GISBORNE, January 23. Evidence at the hospital inquiry was given by Miss Maclean (registrar of nurses) and Dr Valintine (Inspector-general of Hospitals) mainly with regard to the department's inquiry into the Higgins case, which they contended was properly conducted. Asked whether he thought it was advisable for a medical man to be a .member of a hospital board, Dr Valintine said he did not think it was advisable, but that it would require legislation to alter it. He had, however, known medical men Who had done excellent work in conjunction with hospital boards. The Commissioner: You are treading on dangerous ground because this is a democratic country. Dr Valintine said he still held a high opinion of Dr Bowie's professional qualifications. "He did nots know how, with so little assistance, he had been able to carry on so well. He had been highly recommended by Dr Sydney Smith, who now occupied a high administrative position under the Egyptian Government. Df Bowie gave evidence that he took charge of the hospital in March, 1913. Immediately there occurred two epidemics. Ho had no assistance except from the honorary stalF. During his term of office he had cared for 2878 patients. When he entered on his duties the chairman instructed him to have nothing to do with the nursing. He had not discussed the matter with anyone outside the members of the board, and perhaps the honorary staff. . Referring to the White operation, Ur Bowie said that Dr Reeve was the assistant in the case. He found it necessary to remove a septic tube and parts adjacent which were subject to inflammation. There were also adhesions round the bladder. Mr Lusk : What do you suggest was the way the bladder became opened or snipped? —lt must have been by a tear or in breaking down the adhesion that it became torn. Witness added that ho did not remember it beino- deliberately cut. And it was evidently necessary to put in a. stitch or two?—Yes. What happened in that operation is a thing that has happened all the world over? —Yes. I have seen it -happen frequently with the most eminent men at Edinburgh University. Witness proceeded to_ detail the neccssitv for the second operation. The dressing was done by the nurses, and what took place could happen with the most careful sister. Ho had heard of similar incidents happening with the most eminent surgeons. Did you tell Dr Reeve that the matron was always talking about Dr Collins and the muses?—Yes. I sard that she goes on as if she is suffering from delusions of persecution, and that I had had some experience. Did you say she was mental? —JNo. I did not say she was mental. From your experience, she was suffering from delusions of this persecution, and she went on as if she had delusions on these subjects?—Yes. r _ _ Was it a fact (hat Miss Tait was complaining continually about Dr Collins and the Clarksons? —Yes. She was always talking of Dr Collins and she had a fear of the Clarksons? —Yes, and sho thought I was in league with the nurses to do her harm. Were you in league? Well, I am prepared thdt you should go up and ask the nurses. Dr Vaiintino (Inspector-general) was asked: Have you anything to say which might reflect on Dr Bowie's administration? ''On the contrary," he replied. Was it unusual for Dr Bowie to take charge of the smallpox patient?—No. Do vou think his action was wise in remaining with the patient?—l think he is to bo commended for remaining with that

patient, because ho couid easily have evaded it and said that he had other duties. In fact, that generally happens in isolated case 3 such as this.