THE O’DOWD CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2174, 25 April 1908, Page 3

THE O’DOWD CASE.

DR. VALINTINE'S REPORT.

HOSPITAL STAFF ;|XONERATED. The report- from Dr. VatiuujOßsi li'-epector-Geuernl of Hospitiils, came before the Gisborne Hospital Trustees for consideration at their. nieetn ing last evening. . j)r. Valintino's report was as follows: . , “f have the honor to inform the Trustees that I have carefully inquired into the charges made by Mr J. O’Dowd against the late Hospital, with regard to the treatment of his son Joseph while a patient in the Gisborne Hospital. With a view t<> the getting to the bottom of the whole affair,’l have examined the complainant and his son, the medical men and nurses who had charge of the case from the time of the patient’s first admission to the hospital, also some of his co-inmates there, and finally the medical men who operated on the boy at the private hospital. I also interviewed other gentlemen whose official duties take them to the hospital, and the ease books and charts. On the evidence I am of opinion that Mr O’Dowd did not make his case good against the hospital surgeons. There is no evidence that the hoy’s case was neglected; moreover, the doctors who subsequently had charge of the boy when he was finally admitted to the private hospital absolutely repudiate the words that were put into their mouths hi Mr O’Dowd’s letter to the “Times” on October 2Gth. Drs. Scott, Collins, and Williams emphatically deny they either made or inspired the comments attributed to them, and as Mr. O’Dowd’s charges were based on these alleged remarks, it falls to the ground. “Until October 23rd the patient was, to all appearances, doing well, and Ills temperature had been normal for over a month. On October 24th, owing, possibly, to some slight injury, the disease in the bone broke out anew, a not uncommon phase in ostio-myelitis. Until October 25th there were no indications of operative interference, and, as Dr. Scott stated, it was unfair to the hospital surgeons that the boy should havebeen removed from the hospital, when ho developed one of those exacerbations which are so characteristic of the disease.

“I sincerely trust this will be the last of the scandals connected with the Gisborne Hospital, which has given to the institution altogether such an unenviable notoriety throughout the Dominion. For some reason or other there seems to be a email following in the district who wish to detract from the work of that excellent instituion, and much unfavorable comment that has appeared in the local press has undoubtedly been inspired by some interested persons. The hospital is in capable hands, and I have no doubt that with ordinary fair play on the part of the public, Confidence in the institution will bo speedily restored, and that the people of Gisborne will become exceedingly proud of their hospital. Mr. Dewing said the report was most satisfactory. The Chairman said the paragraph stating that the hospital had an unenviable notoriety was not called for. He did not know when that was so. or what was the undesirable name. That statement might have been lett out. He moved that Dr. Vahntine be thanked for his report, and the document handed to the press for publication. • ~ . ~ Mr. A. F. Matthews said lie could not see what good would come from further publicity. . , . After some discussion the Chair-, nian’s motion was carried.