AN EMINENT SURGEON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 51

AN EMINENT SURGEON.

MR VICTOR BONNEY IN DUNEDIN. Mr Victor Bonney, an eminent British surgeon, and the leading authority in tho United Kingdom on the subjects of gynaecology and obstetrics, arrived in Dunedin by the first express from Christchurch on Tuesday. Mr Bonney came to the Dominion at tho express wish of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association to establish a special department of obstetrics in this country. He also represented the British Medical Association at the annual conference of the New Zealand branch at Hamilton last month. Amongst the positions held by Mr Bonney at present are assistant gynaecological surgeon at the Middlesex Hospital, surgeon to the Chelsea Hospital for Women, and to the Putney Hospital, Freemasons’ Hospital, and Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital. He was Hunterian Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. In the course of an interview Mr Bonney stated that three things had impressed him in New Zealand, first, tho general standard of work amongst the medical profession. which was equal to that in the Old Country; second, as he hardly need say. the scenery, and. third, the fishing facilities He is mingling pleasure withhis serious object in coming to New Zealand, and already has done a good deal of angling, enjoying it thoroughly. He expressed pleasure at the formation of an Obstetrical Society in New Zealand, describing it as a notable event. He said that in that work the co-operation of the public was an important factor, and he hoped that it would be given liberally. Septicaemia following childbirth was a great problem. It was necessary to make obstetrical operations as near the ideal of a surgical operation as possible. The ideal, perhaps, could not be completely attained, but the doctors, the nurses, and the public should realise that mothers when approaching childbirth should be in the best possible health. He did not doubt that tho best conditions for confinement w’ere those of a good hospital or nursing homo. Danger was far less than when confinement took place in private houses. The great problem really resolved itself into one of education of the people as to their own great responsibility in that matter. Advances in medical "science, he added, could be made.-only by specialisation. So many kindnesses had been offered to him in New Zealand that he felt overwhelmed with them. He had learnt a few things from New Zealand doctors, and he suggested that if doctors in the Old Country visited New Zealand and other overseas dominions, it would benefit them. It was interesting to note that during tho .past three years six or seven young New Zealanders bad been through his hospitals in London and Mr Bonney reports that all of them had done well. Most of them went through the Chelsea Hospital for Women, the Middlesex Hospital. and the Freemasons’ Hospital. They are: —Dr J. K Davidson, Dr Reid. Dr Kendrick, Mr Bennett. Dr Tennant, Dr King, and Dr Mathieson. His tour will include ■ a trip to the Southern Lakes and Mount Cook. He intends to leave New Zealand for Sydney on March 24. He will attend the first meeting of the Australian College of Surgeons at Canberra, and will make a fairly long tour of Australia.