H.—22a

32

Dr. Collins read an extract from a letter written to the newspapers by Dr. Neil, who asked permission, and was granted it, to read the whole letter. Dr. Neil, in further evidence, said he had sent copies of the ietter to all the local newspapers and to local bodies, but he could not say if his clerk had sent copies to all medical men. Dr. Collins (referring to the letter in question): We will take one or two points?— Take every point you like, Collins. You say the expenses have increased 40 per cent. ?— -Yes, I do. Is that correct?— You wait till you give me a chance. I would prefer to have a special day for the consideration of that; I have all the documents ready. Mr. Beetham: You are asked, Dr. Neil, if that is a true statement? —That is a true statement according to my opinion. Mr. Reed suggested going into the question later, and Dr. Collins passed over to the next point. You said you didn't know who these emergency rules were altered by?— Yes, I did. You say in 1902 the rules were altered?—l don't know the reason of the alteration. You told the conference of local bodies, as well as me personally, that you had reversed the rules. What year "were the rules altered?—lnformation is conflicting. On the back of the rules the date is given as the 9th February, and on my copy January. W 7 hen was it first decided to alter the rules? —I wasn't there at that time. You say you have persistently and vehemently objected?— Yes, 1 have. For how long?—I can't remember. You have stated you objected ever since you returned to Auckland?— When I found the rules with the interpretation you put on them I didn't like them On the 14th March the honorary staff expressed in a letter to the Board satisfaction with my emergency work?—l remember the letter. Did you vote for it?—l did. That was voting to give me more power?—No, it was not. If there was an eye, ear, or other case, would you take it? It was subject to the rules then in force. Didn't that give me greater power of operating than I already had?— No. Not if I could operate in the absence of three hours' notice from the surgeon in charge of the case?—lt was discretionary. You could take an emergency case; not an ear or eye case. It might have given you a little more work, but not in major abdominal operations. You had plenty of power, and you used it; you took it. The Chairman: The rules can be read up by the Commission, Dr. Collins, and we can come to an opinion. If you were dissatisfied with my surgical work, why did you vote? —You only started it after the strong staff left. You stated I operated on a case with Dr. Lewis?—l did. How many abdominal operations have I performed since I've been in the Hospital?—l can't tell you. Then, how can you say I only started?—lt was in reference to night consultations. Was the perforated-ulcer operation, at which you say Dr. Lewis was present, a night consultation?— Dr. Lewis stood over you, and told you when to stop. Is that the truth?—l remember it distinctly. Are you sure you are stating the truth, Dr. Neil?—l am quite sure (witness rising from his seat); do you understand me, Collins? What became of that patient?--She was operated upon again and died. Was it not a fact that I was not permitted to look for the perforation?—l don't remember exactly. Didn't I give in to your opinion and the opinion of another?— Yes; you gave in to Dr. Lewis's opinion and mine. You were under the control of Dr. Lewis, and you should give in. Was not my work done to your approval as well as Dr. Lewis's?— Yes. Did you not say to me afterwards that you did not think, after considering over it, that it was not the correct treatment?—l know that I sent you a journal referring to a case which verified the correctness of what had been done in this particular case. Did you or did you not say it was not the correct treatment?—l don't remember. Do you think it is the correct thing in a case of perforated typhoid ulcer not to look for the perforation?—l sent you a journal proving what was done was correct. It depends on the case entirely what ought to be done. You can't lay down a definite rule for every case. So long as the perforation is allowed to exist so long is the patient's chances of recovery nil?— You might bring the perforation up to the wound. How can you bring it up to the wound if you are not allowed to look for it?— Find it in exploring. You are getting at a lot of details now which are of no value. In the case of Martha Gordon, did not the blood fill the whole of the abdomen?—T could not say it filled the whole of the abdomen. Were you present when the first incisions were made?— No. Did you see the blood come out?— No. I didn't see what came out at the first incision. Would you deny that I found the abdomen full of blood?—I wasn't there to deny it. How long were you at the operation?—l couldn't say.