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3302. How long is it now since he came into the Hospital?—He came in on the 25th March. 3303. Then, he has been over five months in the Hospital?—-Yes. The plaster-of-paris had just been taken off his leg when he was attacked. 3304. Do you remember the case of a man named B ?—Yes. 3305. It has been referred to as a typical case of hospitalism. Will you tell us what happened to that man?— That was a very bad accident. A brick-kiln in the North-Bast Valley fell in, and B 's comrade was killed. B himself had both his legs smashed. One of them was a compound comminuted fracture. 3306. Suppuration set in, did it not ?—The case was submitted to thorough antiseptic treatment. The bones were turned out, thoroughly washed out, and placed in position. Some five or six weeks afterwards signs of suppuration appeared round about the fracture. 3307. I suppose you meet Dr. Batchelor continually?— Yes. 3308. He is careful in his operations and in his antiseptic treatment, is he not ?—Very careful indeed. He is more careful than lam myself. 3309. He is a skilful surgeon, is he not?— Yes; especially so in the department in which he is specialist. 3310. Dr. Batchelor has told us almost exactly what you have stated to-day, about the use of antiseptics, and the dangers to be avoided. Would you be surprised to learn that in many cases in the Hospital Dr. Batchelor, notwithstanding all the precautions he has taken, has had septic results in abdominal cases which have puzzled him to account for ?—I think one always runs a risk unless he performs these operations in an isolated ward. 3311. Could all his skill and precautions prevent the danger?— Not always. 3312. I shall put to you two formal questions which necessarily follow on what you have already told us. Do you, or do you not, agree with Dr. Batchelor that "there are defects in the sanitary condition of the Dunedin Hospital? —Yes, I do; and I think that the whole of the staff are agreed on that subject. The Trustees have always recognised the defects of the Hospital. It is merely a pecuniary matter with the Trustees. They have not had the money to enable them to rectify these things. 3313. Do you also agree with Dr. Batchelor that "these defects are of so serious a character as to be a source of grave danger to the inmates, and call for immediate remedy " ?—Yes, I think so. Especially we should have isolated wards. 3314. Can it be fairly said that these statements of complaint are " grossly exaggerated " ?— No, I do not think so.

Feidat, sth Sbptembee, 1890. Dr. .Robert Gordon Maodonald sworn and examined. 3315. Mr, Chapman.} What is your name?—Eobert Gordon Macdonald. 3316. What are your medical qualifications ?—I am a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, and a Licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. 3317. Have you been duly registered in New Zealand ?—Yes. 3318. Are you a member of the Honorary Medical Staff of the Dunedin Hospital?— Yes. 3319. How long have you been a member of the honorary staff?— About three years. 3320. How long have you been in practice altogether ?—Since 1876. 3321. Most of that time in New Zealand, I suppose? —Yes. 3322. Did you hold any position in the Old Country ?—Yes. 3323. What was it?— Resident Surgeon for five years in a workhouse and asylum in Glasgow. 3324. Was that a large establishment ?—Yes. 3325. How many people ?—lt had two thousand beds. It was a general hospital; but we had everything in the institution —workhouse, infirmary, asylums, lying-in institution —all the requirements which go to make a large general hospital. 3326. That would be one of the largest hospitals in Scotland, or even the United Kingdom ?— It is the largest institution in Scotlaud. 3327. In Dunedin you have seen a good deal of general practice, have you not ? — Yes. 3328. In the Old Country did you see anything of gynecological practice ?—Yes, in the Glasgow Eoyal Infirmary and Western Infirmary. 3329. When yoii saw that, what was your connection with the Glasgow Infirmary ? —A student simply. 3330. When you were a student there, where were the gynecological cases treated?— Professor Leishman simply had one-half of the surgical ward, with an anteroom attached to it for examinations, or for any special cases. 3331. What was the size of the general surgical ward there? How many beds had it?— Twenty-four. 3332. The Chairman.} Do you mean that the whole ward contained twenty-four beds?— Yes. 3333. Mr. Chajoman.} Has Professor Leishman a high position in this particular branch of work ? —He has. 3331. He is one of the most distinguished living gynecologists, is he not?— During my time as a student he was, but I do not know what other men have come to the front since. 3335. Is he a text writer ?—Yes, he has written a book. 3336. What is it styled?—" Principles and Practice of Midwifery and Diseases of Women." 3337. Do you know whether he has made a statement that such cases can be properly treated in an ordinary ward?—l am not familiar with it. 3338. Supposing he has made such a statement, would you agree or disagree with it?— Judging 19— H. 1.