W. S. BROCKWAY.]

27

H.—3lb.

incident, discuss the matter of the British Medical Association with Chamberlain. Mrs. Chamberlain never complained to me of being run down. She seemed in buoyant spirits when I was there, except for the bladder trouble. She gave me no cause to suspect that she was suffering from any lung trouble. I do not think anything 1 have done can be construed as taking part in setting up this inquiry. I have answered questions that have been asked me. Chamberlain brought me the death certificate to look at. He wanted to know what septicaemia was. I told him. I think he asked me on one of his visits if there was any way in which I. could be got to see his wife. I told him I did not know—that he had better consult the legal authorities. I think I considered an inquiry was desirable after Mrs. Chamberlain's death. I think that what I did would be termed "encouragement" towards the holding of an inquiry. For some time I have considered an inquiry desirable. I do not think I furnished any statement, but I tabulated a synopsis. Some one came to me—l think it was Mrs. Nicol—and showed me a letter from the Minister, or some one at Wellington. I. gave some assistance in showing how they should jaroceed. Re-examined by Mr. Skelton.] I had some experience in a lying-in hospital at Lees, in Chicago, United States of America. I was employed in the institution as an honorary physician. I was studying obstetrics at the time, It was part of the course in obstetrics. There every patient was treated as a septic patient and was given an antiseptic bath. This was a precautionary measure taken in every case. Had this been done in Mrs. Chamberlain's case it would be possible, but improbable, for her to incur septicaemia. It is difficult to say the length of time infection will break out. I would not expect that a patient would be septic from germs from her own home after the time that elapsed in this case, especially as the pus in the case was not septic to any degree. There were no septic outbreaks while I was in the institution I have mentioned. It is impossible not to have a septic outbreak at some time. Adjourned till 16th instant, at 2.15 p.m. Thursday, 16th January, 1913. [Dr. Bamford announces that Mrs. Nicol desires to withdraw charges Nos. 3 and. 4: As to charge No. 1, Mr. Mays makes admissions in writing which are put in by consent [Exhibit No. 70]. Dr. Bamford says he is prepared to leave the matter at this, with right reserved to call expert evidence if need be in rebuttal of any explanation offered by Mr. Mays.] Mrs. Nieol's Charges—No. 2. Frances Williams, on her oath, saith. I am the wife of John Williams, timber-worker, of Auckland. I am sister of Laetitia Marsh, now deceased. I know that she was admitted [to St. Helen Hospital [on the Ist July, 1910, and that her child was born there on 2nd July, 1910. I first visited the Hospital in connection with|my sister on the Wednesday after the child was born ; that would be about five days after the birth. I went for the purpose of seeing the patient. The Matron told me that I could not see Mrs. Marsh, as she had scarlet-fever. I was alone. I said, " Well, this is a strange place to come to get scarletfever." The Matron said, " She did not get it here. She came from the country, and they had fever at home, and she brought it in with her." I said " Oh, no ; she came here all right. She was nine weeks at a boardinghouse in Grey Street." I said she was all right, and she did not bring the fever there. I said I was at my sister's when she received a letter from Mrs. Barry, the boardinghouse-keeper, saying that she had left there cheerfully and everything was going on all right. I think this letter was burnt. The Matron then said to me, " Are you her sister ?" I said "Yes." I repeated that this was a strange place to get scarlet-fever. The Matron said that she had gone up to Dr. Florence Keller's, and she must have got it while she was waiting in the surgery. I understood the Matron to mean, though I am not sure of this, that my sister had been to Dr. Keller's on the same day as she was admitted to the Hospital. I did not see my sister at the Hospital on this occasion. The Matron promised to tell my sister that I had called. I told her that I felt quite upset at the news. The Matron told me there was nothing to be alarmed about —that it was a very mild case. She said, "We must isolate her on account of the other patients." Something was said about her going to the Auckland Hospital. I left then, and went over to Mrs. Barry's. I went next to the Hospital on the followingSaturday. I was summoned by a note which came forme. I met my sister, Mrs. Hooker, as I was on the way there. We met in a car. She was going to the same place. I met other members of the family at the Hospital. I saw the Matron. I asked her where was my sister. She asked me if I wanted to see her. I said, " Yes ; that is what we came for." She said, " You can't see her. She is peeling." I said, " She can't be peeling so soon. Is it scarlet ?" She said, " Oh, yes ; the doctor says it is scarlet." I said, " I want to see my sister. She might have something to say to us. I must see her." The Matron said, " Have you any children at home." I said, " Yes ; but I don't mind. I will do anything to see my sister, and will put up with the consequence." The Matron said, "If you go in you must not touch her or go near her. You must put white gowns on, and two can go in at a time." My sister Mrs. Hooker and I put white gowns on, and went to the isolation ward to see Mrs. Marsh. She looked very bad. Her eyes were sunk and glassy. She tried to speak, but we could not understand the broken words she uttered. Her jaws were set. In a little while we thought she said, " I'm dying." That was in broken words, and took a long time. I looked at her closely. She was looking very black. I could see no signs of peeling. I turned her nightdress down at the back of her neck. She looked very black, and. I could see no signs of peeling. The nurse called me away. I was told by the nurse not to touch her. I remained for some time till I heard some one say that they thought her husband had come. Before I left the Hospital. I was told that my sister was dead. I cannot say how long it was after I went there that my sister died.