CO882-(2-3) — Page 309

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

LTC.O.882

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|ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE |BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Mr. Flemming applies to ammend information by stating the date between 20th and 31st December. Granted.

Information read.

Plea:-Guilty.

But another medical man had been appointed to replace me, and that was why I neglected.

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to remain in hospital would be always regarded as cruelty. My interest obliges me to humour the men.

Judgment reserved.

(No. 59.)

District Sergeant-Major Webb v. Dr. J. Bolton.

Information as to non-signing a certificate of entries of visits as requested. Information read that he did not attend from the 19th October to 81st December. Plea:---Guilty,

(No. 58.)

District Sergeant-Major J. T. Webb v. Dr. J. Bolton.

Not visiting the St. Marie Estate.

Plea:-Guilty.

M. de Chazal sworn :-I produce the hospital register of St. Marie Estate, of which I am proprietor. He, Dr. Bolton, visited three times in October, three times November, and three times November and December. The book is not signed since the 4th December. There were then about 312 men on the estate. In October on 5th, 11th, 16th, and 20th. In November, 7th, 20th, and 27th, and December 5th. The book is signed when the Doctor comes. I happen to be away often. I leave all to himself. I believe he ought to attend twice. I have told him that I did not require his visits oftener than I send for him: I am not particular about it, and I am not are not wanted unless sent for. I exacting. I have always told my doctors that they consider it more important to have strict attendance when I send than when the Ordinance requires. I would settle the difficulty of demands for medical care myself without the doctor. I consider that for ordinary cases, I am competent to do all that is necessary without the periodical visits of a doctor. I consider that the responsibility should rest with the master, who should be answerable in high penalties for the result of any neglect. It is very difficult at times, in this district, to get a doctor on any

emergency.

When Dr. Bolton did not attend, no other doctor came; he was not wanted; I had no sick; if there had been I would have sent. I told Dr. Bolton my view about his visits. I pay him 240 dollars. I am paying my new doctor 300 dollars a year. I engaged a new doctor from 1st January.

Cross examined by Dr. Bolton.-In December last there were only two doctors in the district. Except five or six estates, Dr. Tyack had the whole of Savanne to attend to. In September or October, I informed Dr. Bolton, I had agreed with another doctor. He, Dr. Bolton, however, continued his engagement up to 31st December, but did not visit after 4th December; I was quite satisfied with Dr. Bolton's services.

By the Court. The doctor is the only person who makes any entries in the register. Between the visits of the doctor we make no entry, and keep no record of the applications for medical treatment. We have the Carnet d'Appel, and if a labourer alleges he is ill, he is marked M, receives medicine. I never refuse to admit any, but if the sickness is pretended, a good man obtains rest, a bad one is often put up with in consequence of the ill-feeling produced. If I have any doubt, I give the benefit of it to the man. There are no entries of any patients treated out of the hospital. Although at the early part of the day, I may have treated several, as I have described, yet they all go away by 9 o'clock. Very very rarely they sleep in hospital. I have no power to keep men in hospital, and if I had I should not use it unless a man was without a family to take care of him. My belief is that anything like compulsion.

(No. 80.)

District Sergeant-Major J. T. Webb v. Dr. J. Tyack (Bel Ombre Estate).

Not making certificate.

Plea:-Guilty.

Mr. Roudeaux, sworn.-I am the Administrator of Bel Ombre. Dr. Track is the doctor engaged to attend the estate. I produce the Hospital Register. It is not certified.

Cross-examined: I have once or twice sent sick to the house of Dr. Tyack. When Dr. Tyack visits my estate, the book of Choisy Estate is sent to Bel Ombre, and he signs it there. There are 500 or 600 men on my estate. Dr. Tyack has been regular once a week. When a man comes in and is not considered sick, I do not think it necessary to enter his name. If he pretends that I have wronged him, he can come at once to the Magistrate. My register generally has not borne upon it the names of those treated out of hospital. It is not impossible to do it. It is only a neglect. (Dr. Tyack-the names are generally written on a piece of paper). The Government Medical Inspector when he comes looks at the books of the hospital. He never made any remark to me about the doctor's visits being only once a week, although there were 500 or 600 men on the estate. We pay Dr. Tyack 400 dollars. Under the Ordinance I believe he would be entitled to 500 dollars. I have been Administrator only nine months. I know of no agreement to have only one visit per week for the sake of less pay. I think I have remarked to Dr. Tyack that he has not paid all the visits required by law; but it was always well understood that he would come at all other times when sent for. He was in very busy practice. I have only once or twice had to send for Dr. Tyack. I have a large hospital. There is an average of 15 daily really sick in the hospital.

Cross-examined by Dr. Tyack.-When Dr. Bolton signed the book, he was sent as substitute by Dr. Tyack. I know of no particular case of suffering arising from the non-attendance of the doctor. He always went into the camp when requested, in order to see both men and women. Generally the infirmarian is with the doctor. One infirmarian (Indian) lives constantly in the hospital. I do not think that one or even two visits a week for an estate like Bel Ombre are sufficient. It would be very difficult to say what would be sufficient. Even daily visits would not do much good as the Indians will not follow the prescriptions given. Twice Dr. Bolton attended for. Dr. Tyack.

(No. 98.)

District Sergeant-Major J. T. Webb v. Dr. J. Tyack.

Non-punctual attendance.

Plea:-Guilty.

(No. 75.)

District Sergeant-Major J. T. Webb v. Dr. J. Tyack.

False entries in books at Choiry,

Ples:-Guilty.

I filled up the book at Bel Ombre without seeing any patients, and by using the names of Indians who may have had no existence.