9

H.—7a

(3.) That he was not given milk and nourishing food; (4.) That attendants used to tease him; (5.) That his relatives were not notified of his being injured before he died. Complaint (1): That he was not given light employment. —This patient was a lunatic criminal and a sexual degenerate. He had suicidal tendencies, and consequently had to be under constant supervision. Hence he could not be given employment. Complaint (2): That he was placed at night near Lionel Terry, who kept calling out all night, so that he could not sleep for the noise. —lt is true that he was at one time placed near Lionel Terry's room. Terry was very noisy at nights. No blame is attachable to the Medical Officers or attendants : it was due to the overcrowding of the Hospital. Complaint (3): That he was not given milk and nourishing food. —The complaint that the patient was not given milk and nourishing food rests solely on a statement made by the patient to his sisters. No question was asked the Medical Officers or attendants about this. The evidence, however, shows that the patient gained in body and strength whilst in the Hospital. Complaint (4) ■' That attendants used to tease him.- —This also rests solely on statements made by the patient to his sisters, and is denied by the attendants. Complaint (5): That his relatives were not notified of his being injured before he died. —The patient's friends were expected to visit him the day he was injured. They did not pay a visit, and a letter was written them the next day, as the injuries were not then considered serious. The day after that he died suddenly, and a telegram was at once sent. The Medical Officers could not have been expected to do more. It appears from the evidence that the patient told his sister he intended to commit suicide by placing his head under the wheel of a dray. It is to be regretted that none of the patient's relatives realized the importance of informing the Hospital authorities of this threat. Had they informed the authorities, more precautions would have been observed to ensure the patient's safety, although he was under special observation at the time. IV. Lewis Allan Gourlay. The complaints were as follows : — (1.) That he was placed with the worst cases; (2.) That he was supplied with blankets covered with filth from other patients, and the attendant refused to change them; (3.) That the bedclothes were not adequate for a cold night; (4.) That the blankets were not washed during the six months he was detained; (5.) That sufficient towels were not provided in the lavatory; (6.) Had difficulty in getting milk when ill with dysentery; (7.) That the classification of patients is not sufficient; (8.) That Dr. Gow spoke fiercely, and said, " Oh, you are out of your mind." (9.) Urinal too close to dining-room in F ward, and stench from it came into the ward at meal-times; (10.) That the food supplied was not fit to eat most of the time; (11.) That he was locked up in a closet by Attendant Groskie. Complaint (1): That he was placed with the worst cases. —This is a grave complaint, but the necessity for placing a new admission with refractory cases arose from the deficiencies of the Hospital, and cannot be blamed upon the Medical Officers. I will refer to this again in my general remarks. Complaint (2): That he was supplied with blankets covered with filth from other patients, and the attendant refused to change them. —This complaint about filthy blankets rests solely on the patient's own statements. It is denied by the attendants, and Attendant Sykes states, " He complained about dirty

2—H. 7a.