H.—22a

26

Dr. Kobertou pointed out that the regulation had existed for a long time past, but it was left to the discretion of the authorities to enforce. The Chairman: It is a monstrous regulation which provides the sending-away from the Hospital of cases in order to get a recommendation from a'medical man. Further on, the Chairman characterized it as ridiculous and absurd. Mr. Reed: You complain that Dr. Collins performs post-mortem work four days before operating in an abdominal case. Do you not know that in many cases operating surgeons in hospitals are also demonstrators of anatomy?— Well, 1 don't think the practice exists at present. It did some time ago, but the progress in surgery made it a rule to exclude the men. The leading surgeons of Auckland do not do post-moriem work. Demonstrators of anatomy would necessarily perform postmortems? —They work on bodies which are preserved in antiseptics, and specially prepared in order that septic material should be destroyed. If that precaution is taken is there any objection?— The precautions must be very minute. Do you know any instance of the operating surgeon being the demonstrator of anatomy?— No. Precaution can be taken to insure safety?—lt can be, but it is going to an extreme point. Have you done post-mortem work and an operation afterwards?— Not abdominal work. Have you performed other operations?—l may have done others, but not abdominal cases. Have you not on the same day, at the Hospital, done post-mortem work in the morning and an operation in the afternoon? —I don't recollect, but it is not an impossibility. Of course, there is an increased danger in abdominal cases, but is there no danger of infection in any operation ?—Yes, but very nominal. In the case of Martha Gordon you have referred to, do you know if she suffered any ill effects from Dr. Collins following this objectionable practice?—l mentioned that case as an instance of what was going on. Ido not suggest that the patient died from any evil effects resulting from the practice. Mr. Reed: In connection with the inoculation of guinea-pigs with anthrax, are you prepared to say that the statement is correct? —I cannot bring evidence to prove that. Personally, I don't know anything about it. Did any anthrax show itself at the Hospital?— The case of the boy Brown, but he brought it in the anthrax. Was there any other cases?—l. have no recollection of any, but the practice of experimenting was a dangerous one. Did any evil effects proceed from what Dr. Collins did?—l say it is typical of the work done, which is absolutely wrong. Sir. Reed read an extract from a letter dated the 11th May, written by Dr. Inglis, as secretary of the honorary staff, as follows: "That, owing to advances made in the science and art of surgery, most of the more important operative work, especially on the head and abdomen, falls under the heading of emergency work." Do you agree with that?—l would like time to consider and give my suggestions later. Mr. Reed: In one of your letters to the newspapers, written since the trouble, you state that the rule had been altered, but you did not know how the alteration had been done?— Yes, I did. When I was formerly on the staff abdominal work was being done by the honorary staff, and done well, but since my return the urgent abdominal work has been done by the resident staff. Have you ascertained that tlie rules had been altered at the request of the honorary staff?—l have Dr. Collins's statement that he personally revised the rules. Mr. Reed: In the case of Clarence Walters you say that the pus was not removed. Did you observe its presence at the time?—l suggested an examination. Did Dr. Collins not sponge the pelvis?—Ho could not have done it properly. How long did the boy live after the operation?—l think he died that night, or very shortly afterwards. Would the pus go on forming?—lt does not go on forming in the body of a dying person. Only a small portion would form whilst he was dying. Was there a large quantity?— Yes; I drew Dr. Collins's attention to it. You say the boy would have died in any case?— Yes, I think hewould. What I object, to is the resident staff taking urgent cases when lives are in absolute danger. You have said that members of the honorary staff should be rung up. Would you wait till they were all collected?—l think it better to wait the arrival of the staff than to indulge in hasty and senselesi operations. This concluded Mr. Reed's cross-examination of Dr. Neil. Dr. Collins then proceeded with his cross-examination of Dr. Neil, as under: — Dr. Collins: Did you see Clarence Walters when he came into the Hospital?—l first saw him on the operating-table. I came in during the operation. What was his condition ?—He was suffering from general peritonitis and its effects. It was an emergency operation, was it not?—An emergency abdominal operation, yes.