H.—l

253

6367. The next case is that of C. M . "Granulated suppuration; two or throe months in " ? —As far as my memory goes, I cannot put that down to septic influences. 6368. But is it not prolonged suppuration for two or three months ? Is that not a suspicion of septic poison ? —Yes ; but I want to explain it. 6369. But in that case there were septic symptoms ?—Yes ; but I may say it would be only fair on your part to treat every surgeon in the Hospital like this. If you take the cases of one you should take the cases of them all. 6370. I do not suggest any fault of yours in dealing with your cases? —I know perfectly well there is something behind it—perhaps not on your part, Mr. Solomon. 6371. I assure you our object is to show that you are hampered in your operations?— Yes; well, I can explain about these cases, and, if you will not allow me to do so now, I can say what I want to say afterwards, if Mr. Chapman will just take a note of the cases. 6372. Then D . " Suppuration for a week; temperature, 102°." Can you pretend to say there are not septic symptoms there ?—I say there are septic symptoms there. 6373. Next, E. M , on the sth January. " Epithelium of the nose ; suppuration followed; flap separated." Is suppuration not a necessary indication of septic trouble? —Yes. I will explain that case now. The patient was admitted suffering from septic mischief. He had an epithelioma of the nose at the time he came in about half an inch in diameter. That was removed, and the gap was covered by lateral flaps of skin. There was considerable tension, and union did not take place as soon as expected, but the result was very good. Is there anything regarding suppuration in the chart ? 6374. Yes? —Let me see it. [After examining paper.] Yes, I think I got a good result in a very short time with that man. 6375. Does not the suppuration lead one to suspect septic trouble?— Quite true. 6376. Well, the next one is E. G ?—Yes; to save time I will admit there was septic mischief there. Will you take a nole of that case, Mr. Chapman, because it is only fair it should be explained—fair to the Hospital as well as to myself, 6377. The next is M. F . In this, —° is the temperature on the next day but one after the operation. Then on the 15th, at night, it was 102-B°, then on the 16th it dropped to 99°, and on the 17th it was 101°, after which it gradually decreased to normal. Is that not suspicious?— Yes. 6378. Then Y. C : "7th March. Exploratory excision in the abdomen, followed by a rise of temperature; died in thirty-six hours." Was that septic trouble?—l do not think it can be put down to septic trouble. A rise of temperature does not necessarily mean sepsis. 6379. Can you say that a rise of that kind followed by death after thirty-six hours is not the result of septic trouble ?—Not necessarily. 6380. What was the temperature at the time of operation ?—lt was 96°, the lowest. 6381. And then on the day after operation? —It was 98°, then it rose to 100-2°. 6382. Well, now, can you say that is unaccompanied try septic symptoms?—l can honestly and fairly say so, and if you understood chemical phenomena you would say so too. 6383. Then E. E : " Eadical cure of hernia; rise in temperature, and suppuration in both wounds." What do you say about that?— Suppuration occurred and there were septic symptoms. 6384. Now "J. M ; operation for radical cure of hernia, followed by stuffy condition and suppuration of the scrotum"?—l cannot say that was unaccompanied by septic symptoms, but it is explicable. 6385. "E. C , lapirotomy." An emergency operation, I presume. Was that unaccompanied by septic symptoms? —Yes. 6386. In all these cases now septic symptoms have arisen in the Hospital?— Yes, appeared. 6387. There was no talk of septic symptoms in the patients when they came into the Hospital? —That is where I differ from you, Mr. Solomon. They were septic then with one exception. 6388. Well, we have some more yet. 6389. The Chairman.] There are twelve cases out of your forty-four with septic symptoms?— Yes, but I should like to adopt this plan with regard to every man's case. I look on it as most unfair to apply it to only one man. 6390. Unfair to you?— Yes. Mr. Careiv : What is the object of these questions on that head? Mr. Solomon : The object is to show that in an unhealthy atmosphere, despite all efforts of the surgeons, septic symptoms follow when they ought not to follow. Witness : I am willing to put a witness into the box to prove to you how that return has been compiled. Mr. Solomon: It was compiled by Dr. Copland. Witness : No; it was compiled by Dr. Batchelor. I can put Dr. Copland in the box, and if he tells to the Court what he told to me, then the Court can draw their own conclusions as to the spirit in which it was drawn up. Mr. Solomon: The list was sworn to by Dr. Copland, and not by us. Witness : Not that list. I speak of the spirit in which the whole thing has been gone into. Mr. Solo?non : You must be mistaken. Witness : No, lam not. The only object is to show Mr. Solomon : I can assure you the only object is to show that doctors do not get a fair chance. Witness : I cannot eradicate from my mind what has been told me. 6391. Mr. Solomon: Well, I will put a few other cases to you. There is that case of J. M . The Chairman : It is rather a waste of time. 6392. Mr. Solomon.] I shall endeavour to put the evidence as briefly as possible. Now, doctor, to put it to you shortly, after all the casSs I have read to you, do you think that those