CORONER CRITICISES ACTION OF DOCTOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 2

CORONER CRITICISES ACTION OF DOCTOR.

REFUSED TO ADMIT MAN TO HOSPITAL. (Special to the "Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 22. “ It seems to me that, in view of the physical symptoms which were observed by a layman, and the fact that he was sent to hospital first by Dr ITislop, and again by Dr Gilmer, on December 13, within a couple of hours of being discharged, that he should not have been refused admission without some further inquiry, either by way of conference of the doctors or by some conference with Dr Gilmer.” The above comment was made by Mr Page, the coroner, at the inquest on George Corrigall, aged about fifty-six, who was arrested by the police on a charge of vagrancy, and ordered to the public hospital for treatment. He was twice discharged from hospital, but sent back again, and eventually died there on December 16. Dr Lynch, hospital pathologist, said that deceased had been admitted on three occasions in a neglected condition. suffering from the effects of methylated spirits poisoning. Death was due to acute endocarditis, with septicaemia. After other medical evidence, the coroner said that deceased was apparently a vagrant, who took little care in his manner of living. He was arrested on the evening of December 8 and taken to the police station the next day. On a doctor’s recommendation he was removed to hospital. He was examined and discharged shortly after midday on the 13th, and taken to the police station, and then to gaol. Dr Gilmer saw him on his arrival, and at once directed that he should be returned to hospital. Within about two hours he was back. In the hospital he was examined by Dr Cook and refused admission, Dr Cook being of the opinion that he w'as not a fit subject for treatment in the hospital. Corrigall was taken back to prison, but he sank again, and on December 15 Dr Gilmer ordered him to be removed to hospital. He was then in a low condition, and he died on the evening of December 16. The evidence of Dr Lynch showed that most of the man’s organs were in an unhealthy state, and that, in his opinion, death was due to acute endocarditis with septicaemia. The operations of the bacteria, no doubt, would be assisted by the man’s debilitated condition as a result of his vagrant life and through his drinking methylated and other spirits to excess. A verdict was returned according to Dr Lynch’s testimony.