H.—3lb.

T. R. INGLIS.]

33

by her. I can think of no better system of reporting than we have now. I have had thirteen years hospital experience. At the present time the great bulk of my practice consists of obstetric and gynecological work. Looking at Mrs. Marsh's case from the standpoint of to-day, I know of nothing that could have been done for her better than we did. Cross-examination continued.] I saw Mrs. Marsh on the day she died. The sunken and glassy eyes and the weakness could have come on during that day. On the day of the death I was specially called in. To the Commissioner.] I can give you my attendances, but I cannot give you what I did or saw on the various days. Ido not know if my appointment was gazetted. Re-examination continued.] I know that books similar to that now produced are kept in the Hospital since its establishment. [Exhibit No. 30.] It is called the " Nurses Daily Report-book." This is the only one now in existence except the one now in actual use. The earlier ones have been destroyed. The case-books are written up from these books. To the Commissioner.] When necessary I examined the nurses report-books —I know that the earlier report-books are destroyed on their completion when their contents have been entered into the case-books. That is the custom. Ido not think these report-books would be of any use except in the case of an inquiry. I think such records are destroyed at the Auckland Hospital. I have frequently had occasion to call in another practitioner to consult with me in regard to cases in this Hospital. In these cases the consultant has always been nominated by me. I have called in so many different men that I cannot remember their names. Were I asked by the husband of a patient who was very bad if I would consent to another medical man being called in I would certainly consent. If the husband named a practitioner I would claim to exercise my right to refuse to consult with him. I would not refuse merely because the medical man mentioned was not a member of the British Medical Association. I have not known a consultation to be refused in Auckland solely on the ground that the medical man mentioned was not a member of the British Medical Association. That alone would not be a sufficient reason to refuse a consultation. A valid objection would be that I did not value the opinion of the medical man suggested as a consultant. Assuming that I had no faith in the suggested medical man's opinion, I would refuse a formal consultation, but I would allow him to see the patient. Were I then asked to permit this medical man to attend the patient I would refuse, because I have no power to do so. In private practice, if the people had no confidence in me I would turn the case over straight. I would not consult with any man I had not confidence in. If the husband of a woman asked for leave to bring in another man, I say I have no power to let another man in. If I called in a man as consultant being a man in whom I had confidence, and he differed from me in his treatment, I would follow his treatment. That is why I have to be careful in calling in a consultant. If under Rule 22 I called in a consultant, and he differed from me as to the treatment of the patient, I would probably call in a second consultant. If he agreed with the first consultant, I would carry out the treatment. I would have to do this in a public position. I would not do it in private practice. In the case of a private patient, if the patient or relatives desired that the treatment should be that of the consultant I would retire from the case, and leave the patient in the consultant's hands. In Mrs. Marsh's case her sudden collapse was quite unexpected. Tracy Russell Inglis, recalled, saith. I have now heard the evidence of witness Mr. Hooker (see below). I have no recollection of saying what he attributes to me. I did not say that I knew Mrs. Marsh was in a dangerous or critical position the day before she died. James White Hooker, on his oath, saith. I am a bookbinder. I saw Dr. Inglis with regard to Mrs. Marsh on the evening of her death. I went with Mr. Marsh, who is my brother-in-law, to see Dr. Inglis, to ascertain the cause of death and get a death certificate. I cannot give the exact words he used, but the real gist of the thing was this. We asked the cause of death. Dr. Inglis stated that it was scarlet-fever. I stated that my wife had been there the previous day, and the nurse had stated it was a very mild form, and there was no need for uneasiness. Dr. Inglis said, " She should not have said so, because I knew the previous day that she would die, or she was in a critical condition," one or the other of these statements, I am not sure which. Mr. Marsh was present and heard this. I have no idea where Mr. Marsh now is, and I have not seen him for about six months. Heart-failure was not mentioned by Dr. Inglis. Cross-examined.] Heart-failure was never given by Dr. Inglis as the cause of death. Mr. Marsh was-talking as well as I was. Dr. Inglis was talking sometimes to me and sometimes to Mr. Marsh. I have no grievance on the score that I was not told. I attach no blame to Dr. Inglis and none to the Matron. Charlotta Ludwig, on her oath, saith. I am the Matron of St. Helens Hospital. lam a trained general nurse, as well as a registered midwife. I am also registered by the Central Midwives Board of England. I commenced training for my certificate in 1904. I went Home to England in 1902. I then had had no experience. I got my training in the Nottingham General Hospital. I was there three years —1904 to 1907. I then had a long holiday and took midwifery training in Plaistow. I came back to New Zealand in 1908. I was then four months in my own home. I was submatron in St. Helens Home, Christchurch, from October, 1908, till February, 1910, when I was promoted to my present position. My salary is £120 per annum, with my board and laundry-work. I have the whole, responsibility

5—H. 31b.