THE MEDICAL CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20076, 12 October 1920, Page 8

THE MEDICAL CASE.

OB MCKENZIE’S DEFENCE. ALLEGATION AGAINST GIRL’S PARENTS. [Per PnEgs Association,] WELLINGTON, October 12. The medical case was continued before tho Full Court. Dr Francis Wallace Mackenzie gave evidence that he graduated at the University of Edinburgh in 1885, and com menccd- to practise in Wellington in 1887 as a special, st of the nose, ear and throat. He voluntarily, seceded from the British Medical Association. He first examined Miss Strongman on February 26 for adenoids. ,W bile examining hm heart, he had suspicions that she was pregnant. On a second visit ho told the girl’s mother of these suspicions, and examined her in her mother’s pro sense. There was avv omul on the body, and he thought the g.rl had been interfering with it. Tho wound might have been caused by disease. He said he would like to get a second opinion, as he was not an expert in the treatment .of women. He proposed that Dr Clar idgo be called in. Tho mother consented te an operation for adenoids. The mother asked witness if anything could bo done to relieve the girl’s condition. Ho gave the opinion that interference might ruin the girl’s health. It wits better to let. things lake then own course. The same night the father called, and said he wanted abortion procured on his daughter, and offered him fifty pounds- He advised the father not to have anything of the kind done. (Several times Stranman called for tho same purpose, with a like result. Naltrass called, and warned h-m against having anything to do with the parent’s scheme. Witness had been very ill .and his memory was not good. Nattrass showed witness a letter containing an appeal to Nattrass to have the impending operation prevented, and requesting him to ask witness to help. A itness deprecated Nattrass’s idea of going to tho police. f^V( tnesS i a ll^ ec ' r ‘° bad previously frightened tlup girl about the idea of an operation for abortion. On tho day or the abduction witness and Natrass planned to take tho girl from the hospital, hide her for a few days, and then send her to friends at Nelson, u itness made all arrangements, and diseußied them with Nattrass ; and Glandgo at tho latter’s house that night Nattrass suggested that Glandgo should accompany them. Witness went into the hospital, found the girl asleep, and sent the nurse away. Tbembo wakened tho girl and told her that Nattrass was waiting outside. Tho girl dij not comprehend what was wanted of her, and witness went outside and asked Claridge to seo what he could do, while witness had tea with l , the nurse. When he was informed later by tho nurse that tho girl had gone ho wont to tell tho parents. Ho did not saj r that she had been abducted. Witness did not run away when tho police wore mentioned. Replying' to Mr Justice Edwards, witness said that he regarded tho girl as his employer, not her parents. Witness did not tell Detective Rawlo that the girl consulted him on February 5. He did not decide not to operate on tho girl for adenoids until he spoke to her on tho day of tho abduction. Had I witness consulted Nurse Vickers he was sure that she would have helped him I to save the girl. , Tho happenings at the hospital were not prearranged, and I there was no plan that tne girl should I be driven to C'laridgo’s house. Wit- 1 ness had not considered the question of clothes for tho girl. Claridgo camo in accidentally, and acted the part of a good Samaritan. Mr Justice Edwards said ‘ ho was | afraid that tho “ movies “ had a corrupt effect on old people as well aa on tho young. Tho caso is proceeding.