Chiropractors

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 85, 15 August 1923, Page 5

Chiropractors

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FAILS. Per Press Association. Auckland, August 14. Before Mr Wilson, S.M., Joseph Zam, by occupation a tailor, sued Duggan and Dugian, chiropractors, claiming- £123 for expenses arising from alleged negligent and unskilful treatment. Plaintiff stated that defendant diagnosed his complaint as sciatica. He admitted that he did not complain to Duggan when his treatment ended. The Magistrate said that unless medical evidence would p'ove beyond doubt that plain-iff''* trouble to his hip was the result of Duggan's treatment plaintiff could only succeed in recovering the return of the fee, four guineas. Dr. Kenneth Mnckenzie said he would not say pressure on the spine applied by Du'tgan would aggravate disease of the hip. It would not bo beneficial. Dr. Carrick Robertson said Zam was suffering from bony accretions round the margin of the hip. The defence was that defendants were quite willing to refund their fees, but thought the case should go on.

Counsel submitted that neither under the contract nor on the ground of negligence ; had plaintiff establish--led his case. , i William Andrew Dug<ron, chiropractor, stated that'plaintiff was advised by defendant that he could not undertake to ; give : relief unless ho had both le?s evened up by a special boot, and even then it was not for plaintiff to say if the work would over be completed, owing to the awkward manner in which defendant walked. Defendant if*nied that ho diagnosed the complaint as sciatica, as thia was . not a chiropractor's work.

The maTistrate said he was satisfied tint the treatment had not tonnfcrihnted to..,the condition of the h'p, which necessitated an operation;. Tho feesi were eo;-ta ; nly not excessive. Plaintiff was no»W».ted.