South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1883.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3335, 10 December 1883, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1883.

The recent emeute at the Wellington Hospital is a matter for very grave regret, in the interests of medical science, and of the hospitals of the colony in general. For it is the latest of a series of similar disturbances which have occurred with astonishing frequency. In this particular case, Dr Hammond was the immediate successor of Dr Gillon, who had found it expedient to resign his position as Resident Surgeon—not through any sins of omission or commission, not through any professional lacking or moral blemish, which could be imputed to him—but, simply through unseen influences, and the persistent hostility of the honorary medical staff of the institution. Dr Hammond is summarily dismissed on no more specific charge than that of “harshness of demeanour,” of which not a shadow of proof is forthcoming, and against which are to be set these facts :—(1) That he has admittedly reformed the hospital ; (2) that his subordinates regard him with the utmost respect and confidence; (3) that the Colonial Secretary distinctly states,in the course of the correspondence that has passed between his department and the surgeon, that neither his professional skill nor his moral character are in the slightest degree impugned. The whole thing lies in a nutshell—the honorary medical staff have chosen to “ have a down” on the unfortunate surgeon, and he must go. The fact that the same thing has occurred in two successive cases in the same institution, is a very strong evidence in support of the theory, that in neither case has the fault been all on one side, though the disastrous consequences have fallen on the one side. Matters in the case of the Wellington hospital have been brought prominently under public notice, but it must not be supposed that this is an exceptional or phenomenal case. On the contrary, the relations between the Resident Surgeon and the visiting staff in nearly every hospital in the colony are “ strained.” In this condition of things, it is certain that some remedial measures should be adopted, or we shall never get desirable men as hospital surgeons, and the public will lose all confidence in the institutions. The only possible remedy is the emancipation of Resident Surgeons from the control of outside practitioners. At present a Resident Surgeon hardly dares to operate upon or treat a patient, until he has sent a respectful message to one or other of the honorary staff to solicit their attendance and aid. The principle on which this is based is a judicious one, but it is now being abused, and the position of Resident Surgeons is that of absolute slaves to honorary tyrants. Long enjoyment of prerogatives has engendered an esprit de corps in tyranny. There is hardly a hospital in the colony that the Surgeon is not thankful to get out of. Whether Jthiis is a desireable state of things we leave the public to decide.

The “Adulteration Prevention Act, 1883,” provides for the appointment by local bodies, of Inspectors of the quantity and quality of the food and drink of the people. The Timaru Borough Council, we may suppose, will not delay the appointment of an Inspector for Timaru. We are of opinion that the appointment should not be delayed in this case, a single day ; for if we are to believe what some people say, it is a mystery how we live at all. Our wines, spirits, and beer are “ doctored,” our bread is short in the weight, and our milk is watered—so at least some persons tell us. For our own part, we do not believe these evils exist to the extent they are said to exist, —in fact, much of the iniquity thus implied, is only in the imagination of a few. Be the grievance real or imaginary, however, it is to be hoped the Council will place within reach of the public the means of exposing fraud, and putting a stop to all the delinquencies of bakers, butchers, and publicans. It is beyond doubt that in many places in the colony, the application of the new Act is badly needed, and we sincerely trust its provision will be applied speedily and with vigour.

Will the lesson of carefulness in the use of fire-arms never be learned ? Must we be continually subject to heart-rending reminders of prevailing carelessness ? The lamentable fatality by which, at Abbotsford, on Saturday, Mr Street, the newly-elected Mayor of Dunedin, lost his son, a lad of 15, is the latest instance of disaster, consequent upon such carelessness. Four lads, full of spirit and health, one of them just about to meet his father, were assembled together without a thought of evil, when the accidental discharge of the gun carried by one of the party,instantly killed young Street, his father being only a short distance away from him, little dreaming of so awful a tragedy. What misery has been wrought by this accident 1 A whole family is plunged into mourning, and one youth, the holder of the gun, must for ever bear about a weight of useless sorrow ; these are the consequences following the accidental discharge of a gun. We commend this sad record to everyone in the community ; we entreat every parent and guardian to note it, and to earnestly commend it to the attention of the youths in his charge. It is a matter, not for legislative interference, but for parental control and watchfulness, and for youths themselves to ponder. No lad should be permitted to carry a gun, under any pretence \whatever , unless he has been strictly disciplined in the use of arras, and has exhibited some natural cautiousness in handling them.