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339 G. Do you know whether any consultation was held in this case within the meaning of the by-laws, excepting of course the consultation between Dr. Batchelor and yourself ? — No. 3397. You know the provisions of the by-laws?— Yes. 3398. Is there anything unreasonable in the provision that a consultation shall be held before operation ?—No. 3399. Do you anything of the case of Mrs. A——?— Yes. 3400. Have you had anything to do with her ?—Yes, she was my patient. 3401. She came from Seacliff ?—Yes. 3402. She was an insane patient ? —Yes. 3403. And is so still?— Yes. 3404. What is her condition ?—She came in with scrofulous disease of the knee-joint. Then she had tubercular ulcers of the sternum. For about twelve months she was pretty well, and then pelvic abscess set in. 3405. There was a consultation in that case, was there not, in which Dr. Batchelor took part ? —Yes. 3406. I understand that he differed from the other medical gentlemen who were present as to what was the matter with the woman?— Yes, there was a difference of opinion. 3407. The operation proved pelvic abscess, did it not, and the woman is still in a bad condition?— Yes. 3408. How was the existence of pelvic abscess proved, do you know ?—By the insertion of an aspirating needle. 3409. Was it operated on ?—Yes, by cutting it open and examining it. 3410. Then operated on ?—Yes. 3411. She has had a long stay in the Hospital ?—Yes. 3412. Has her prolonged stay in the Hospital been due to anything in the condition of the Hospital ?—No. 3413. To what has it been due ?—To disease in the woman herself. 3414. Have you seen her chart, and are you familiar with it ?—Yes. 3415. What is she actually suffering from now ? —Tubercular disease, with a very variable temperature. 3416. The Chairman.] What is the form of her ie sanity?— She has delusions that she has wealth, but cannot get hold of it, and was incarcerated to allow others to squander it. 3417. Is that usual?—lt is very unusual. We wanted several times to get her away, but could not. 3418. Mr. Carew.] Where did she come from originally? —From the Christchurch or Timaru district. 3419. How did she get out from Seacliff?—Dr. King sent her down here. 3420. Mr. Chapman.'] Is the temperature which this woman has fully accounted for by her disease?— Yes. 3421. May her disease be described as chronic ? —Yes. 3422. Do you know in which ward she was?— During all the time that I had to do with her she was in ward No. 7. 3423. Do you know what patients were alongside of her ?—There were a great number. They change beds often by fresh patients. 3424. During the last few months, did you notice particular patients alongside of her?— There were a number of patients, but, none of them being my cases, I did not take any notice of them. As they were strangers to me I did not take any interest in them. 3425. Do you know if a suggestion was ever made to isolate her ? —There was none. 3426. Mrs. S was a patient of yours before her admission?— Yes. 3427. You had been treating her outside ?—Yes. 3428. In her own house ?—Yes. 2429. And you recommended her to go into the Hospital ? —Yes. 3430. To go under Mr. Batchelor's care ?—Yes. 3431. What was she suffering from ?—Chronic metritis, laceration of the os, and ovarian pains. When she came to me she complained of pain, and an unhealthy uterine—or you may call it vaginal, if you like—discharge. 3432. Any other symptoms?— Attacks of feverishness and occasional rigours. 3433. Anything else ?—Not that I can remember. 3434. The Chairman.] How long was that before she went into the Hospital ?—Up to immediately before going in. I had had her for a month or so under treatment outside. 3435. Mr. Chapman.] You had examined her, and found what was the condition of her uterus ? —Yes. 3436. And you then advised her to go into the Hospital and undergo this operation ?—Yes. 3437. Were you present at the operation?—No; I came in when Dr. Batchelor was about finishing it. 3438. The Chairman.] Did you suggest the nature of the operation, when you advised that she should undergo it?—l explained to her the the probable cause of her illness, and suggested that she had better consult Dr. Batchelor as to whether he would perform an Emmet's operation or not. 3439. Mr. Chapman.] Had you any idea that the Hospital was a dangerous place in which to perform such an operation ?—No, I had seen several such operations performed there with no ill effects. 3440. You have seen her chart, have you not ?—No, I cannot say that I have. I saw it from a distance, as I was passing from one ward to another, but I did not inspect it particularly.