OPERATION SEQUEL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 10

OPERATION SEQUEL.

Butcher’s Allegations Against Doctor. £ISOO DAMAGES CLAIMED. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, This Day. The hearing of a claim for £ISOO damages for alleged negligent treatment was commenced in the Supreme Court this morning, before Mr Justice Ostler. The claim is made by Brian Pelham Dods in respect to an operation performed on his left hand at the public hospital, and the defendant is Dr R. J. B. Hall, medical superintendent of the institution. The statement of claim alleges that plaintiff was suffering from an injury to his ring finger of the left hand, and he consented to the removal of the finger. The statement alleges that the middle finger as well as the ring finger was removed, and plaintiff was therefore unable to continue his occupation as a butcher. The defence is a denial of the allegation of negligence. Mr L. T. Burnard, for the plaintiff, submitted that the medical superintendent was the person responsible, and that the house surgeon who performed the operation was his servant for the purpose of the operation. Mr D. R. Jloggard, counsel for the defendant, intimated that the defence did not admit the facts quite as they were stated by' the plaintiff. Dr Hail was not, as suggested, looking over the shoulder of the house surgeon who performed the operation. The hearing is proceeding.