221

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effect that they were unanimous as to the main contentions, but were not entirely agreed as to the methods of carrying them out." Do you remember these motions being carried?—l do not. 5393. Yet I find you stating here to-day that, in your opinion, there is nothing at all wrong with the Hospjrnl—nothing that would be likely to interfere with the health and comfort of the patients ?—So far as I know, there is nothing that will do so to any great extent. 5394. Now, I find this paragraph in the report to which that resolution refers, and which was practically unanimously adopted by the staff: "As, practically, there are only two walls available for beds, one of which in each ward is broken up by the chimney-breast and a doorway, the beds are necessarily placed too close to each other for either the health or comfort of the patients." Is that true or not ? —I do not think it is proper. 5395. But you were a party to this report ?—I was not. I said nothing, because it was useless to say anything. 5396. 'Did you not know then, and do you not know now, that that report was prepared at the request of the Trustees for their own guidance?— That is Dr, Lindo Ferguson's report. 5397. Did not the Trustees ask that it should be prepared?— Did the Trustees ask him to make it ? 5398. The Trustees asked the staff to prepare a special report and forward it to them ?-— Excuse me, I do not think that the Trustees asked Dr. Lindo Ferguson to make a special report. 5399. What I now ask you is, is this paragraph from the minutes true or not : That the report came up before the medical staff for discussion, and that those present at that meeting " were unanimous as to the main contentions therein contained." The minute is signed by " John Macdonald," as chairman. I ask you, again, is that true ?—lf it is as you read it, it is true. 5400. Then, you had better read it for yourself. Why did you consent to it passing if you did not approve of it ?— What was the good of opposing it? There were enough members on the other side of the staff to carry it. 5401. Did you not sign a statement to the effect that the members of the staff were " unanimous as to the main contentions " contained in that report? —I dare say I did. 5402. And did you not know that this report contains a statement that the beds are " necessarily too close for the health and comfort of the patients " ? —I really did not recollect it at the time. 5403. I find it also stated in the report, in reference to the waterclosets : " We are strongly of opinion that no system of double doors will render a ward safe which has a closet opening directly off it. We consider (and our views are those of the best authorities on sanitation) that all closets should be entirely outside the wards, and that communication should be by a lobby or corridor which has free cross-ventilation." Do you find anything to complain about the closets?—l looked at them to-day, but could not find anything to complain of. 5404. Do you not observe that this report has entirely to do with " the present condition of the wards " ? —But I had nothing to do with the drawing-up of that report, which was drawn up by Dr. Lindo Ferguson himself. 5405. Was it not discussed before the staff? —It was not; at least, Ido not think it was. 5406. Goodness gracious me ! Listen to what the minute says : " Dr. Lindo Ferguson's suggestions for remedying the existing hygienic defects came up for discussion." Is that true or not ? —I do not recollect it. 5407. What are we to think about your statement that the report was not discussed ? —I positively cannot recollect it. 5408. But you were chairman of the meeting which discussed it ?—Yes, but it was quite useless to say anything at that meeting. 5409. Why?— Because the members of the staff were in such an excited state. 5410. Excited about what?— About a rumpus. 5411. The Chairman.'] Who introduced the word " unanimous " into the minute?—l am sure I do not know. 5412. Did you write the minutes up?— No. Mr. White : They are in Dr. Eoberts's handwriting. 5413. The Chairman.] And were confirmed in the ordinary way?— Yes. 5414. Do I understand that three or four members agreed to this report when it was discussed, but now repudiate it ? —I had nothing to do with drawing it up. 5415. Do you admit that it is correct to say that you repudiated it?—l do not think it is correct to say so. 5416. Yet you signed the minutes of that meeting, which say that the staff were " unanimous as to the main contentions " of that report ?—Yes, I did sign it. 5417. Mr. Garew.] Was the motion put to the vote at all?—I do not recollect. 5418. Was there an addition or amendment to the motion for adopting this report ?—I do not recollect. 5419. Would it have been recorded if there had been ?—I suppose it would. 5420. Mr. Solomon.'] Did you ever say that you disagreed with this report ?—No. 5421. To anybody? —I may have said so outside, but I did not say anything at the meeting. 5422. Did you disagree with it at the time?— Well, I did not exactly approve of it. 5423. Do you remember whether, as chairman of the meeting, you invited the opinions of the various members of the staff on this report ? —I do not think I did. 5424. Was the motion ever put to the vote? —I really do not recollect. 5425. Do you recollect whether there was any discussion?—l positively cannot recollect. There were so many meetings at about this time. 5426. All you can say, then, is that you do not recollect anything about it ? —Positively, I had forgotten all about it until Dr. Lindo Ferguson spoke to me about it in the street the other day.