1923-12-19 — Page 5

Page

THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY.

SANITARY DEPARTMENT'S LIMITED

VIEW OF ITS DUTIES.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Sanitary Board, held yesterday, the two following questions, asked by Dr. W. V. M. Koch, formed the topic of a very in teresting discussion:--

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 1923.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A

DOCTOR.

CASE COMES TO AN ABRUPT CONCLUSION.

DR. SANDERS IN THE WITNESS-

BOX

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

[REFORE HIS HONOUR THE PUISSE JUDGE

A COMPLETE DENTAL

(MR. JUSTICE COMPERTZ).) Dr. James Herbert. Sanders, M.

BANK NOTE FORGERY CASE. L.R.C.S, L.RO.P., was then called to The case in which Mr. Thorwald Ander the witness-box. Bo stated that he had HEAYY SENTENCE FOR MALE PRISONER. son, formerly employed as a foreman with been a fully qualified practitioner for

The case in which a man and a woman' the Hongkong Wharf and Godown Com nearly 3 years. He gave an outline of the pany and at present employed by the history of his career as a medical practi- were indicted at the Cristinal. Sessions Shanghai Municipal Council as clerk of tiongr, confirming what his Comsel had on five counts of unlawfully having in and their possession certain · papers (1) Will the Hend of the Sanitary Deworks, sued Dr. J. H. Sanders, medi stated, and mentioned that during the

machinery for the purpose of making partinent kindly inform this Board whe cal practitioner in charge of the Matilda war he had, as Senior Resident Officer ther aty supervision is exercised Hospital, for damages on the ground of at the Norwich and Norfolk Military Iles-forged banknotes was conchided yester officers of the Department over building skilful or negligent treatment to his pital, to deal with many cases of fras day afternoon. operations in progress in the Colony?

(2) If no supervision, has been hitherto hand, which was injured' in an accident tures, many men being admitted to his. exercised, cannot some arrangement be in December 1991, was continued at the hospital straight from the front. At the made to exercire, soIDE supervision in view of the extensive prevalence of Supreme Court. yesterday, before the Matilda Hospital ho looked after the Malaria and Dengue?

Chief Justice (Sir William Rees-Davies) administrative side as well as the medicat and a special Jury. The Jury were: side of the hospital. With regard to the Messrs Frank Stayth (Foreman), G. Ppresent ease his first connection with it Curry. Bird, G. M. Young, J. Reid, W. G. Goggin and O. 1.- Ellia.

The MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH, in reply," said with regard to the first ques tion that specin! visits had been paid, quite recently, by Sanitary Inspectors to buildings in the course of erection. As a result of visits by Sanitary Inspectors 57 nuisance's had been discovered this sour, 4 of which were caused by the beceding of mosquitoes. Seven prosecu- tions were taken and fincs, were inflicted

by the Magistrate. Dr. PEARSE said he did not think that the second question arose in view of his reply.

.

Plaintiff was represented by Mr. C. G. Alabaster, KC. (instructed by Mr. G. R. Haywood), while Mr. F. C. Jenkin tin structed by Messrs Johnson. Stokes and Master) appeared for the defence.

Mr. Jenkin opened the case for the defence when the Court resumed is the morning. Counsel submitted that there had been a complete failure to produce evidence of any disability to Mr. Ander- son's band and wrist. Not a syllable to this effect had been stated in the wituess box. True, out of the recesses of No 7

Mr. Campbell Prosser, addressing the jury on behalf of the prisoners, said the first prisoner (the man) was employed by Pun, or by Li Sik, and that he was in the room as a fokk. There was no evidence to show that he knew anything about the tanknotes at all. I am cer was the result of a telephone" message this, Counsel continued, "I would have from Dr. Smalley on the morning of the gene into this house and would not have 14th December, 1921, as the result of known what the machinery was being. which he agreed to accept Mr. Anderson used for, taking into consideration that

Mr. Anderson arrived

the man's employer had a machinery shop." into hospital.

Continuing. Mr. Prosser said: "It is about 11.30 am. Witness had completed his round when he arrived and was wait-my contention that although the police ing for him. He attentied at once to the bave made a valuable capture; that is all they have done., They have missed head woitad and then took the patient to the principals in the case, which is the the X-ray room where the injured hand second, most important thing in the case if not the most important. A woman was screened and examined. The coud and a faxi, as a result of this, are charged tion of the patient was such that he could with the crime of others." not give him a long examination. The whole proceedings occupied 3 to 5 minutes and the actual examination 11 minutes.

The Attorney-General, in his address. to the Jury, referred to Mr. Campbell Prosser's contention that the bundles of

at all banknotes could not be seen

That is all very well, if I went in,' argued the Attorney-General, but to have lived there for six months, as the first prisoner has done, I am pretty certain 1 would bare known all about it." He

guilty. submitted that the first prisoner was

The Puisue Judge then sunimed up to

the Jury and pointed out that the pri soner was an educated man with clean and unmarked hands a thing which would be hard to find as belonging to a fitter and one who worked in a machine

shop,

The CHARMAN: Although I quite agree that the second question does not arise, I would like to any little more. I buld like to remind the Board that the main function for which my Department | Orient Building, the plaintiff had pro-Witness did not observe any displacement was organized was to deal with notifiable duced Dr. Woodman who had not even of the bone. Witness had been told by and infectious "discasts. I think I am hinted that Mr. Anderson's disability was Dr, Smalley that Mr. Anderson had a He had been treated right in saying that we were originally the ultinate result of want of treatment Colles "fracture. a Plague Department pure and simple. by Dr. Sanders. It was rather surprising hefore this by Dr. Smalley-an experi- At present scracthing like four-fifths of that Dr. Woodman did not take the enced medical man-who had dressed the the Sanitary Inspectors are used against trouble to examine. Mr. Anderson's hand, injury properly and not as a mere first plague. On top of that, without special and find out its present condition. Could aid dressing as suggested Ly the plaintiff. with It was eighteen hours after Dr. Samalley's anachinery, and without a sufficient super-one imagine a medical practitioner, y visory staff we are at the present moment any regard for the decency of his profes-treatment that he arrived at the Matilda

The Jury returned a verdict of "guilty" engaged in fighting the most serious out- eion coming into the witness-box before Hospital-and then the band was very Break of smallpox the Colony has ever seven commercial men sitting as a special much swollen. Knowing the state of the in the case of both the man and the known. I am not going to suggest that jury and confessing that he had not taken man's mind witness probably told him woman, and his Lordship sentenced the inale prisoner to five years' imprisonment the Department does not attempt to deal the trouble to examine the man's hand that there were no bones broken with with hard labour on each of the first and very surprising the sole idea of allaying his anxiety, and second counts, the sentences to run con with malaria or dengue, indeed, the reply It was an action of as

though he could not see the fracture be secutively On the third count a further knew from what Dr. Smalley had said five years imprisonment was ordered, of the Medical Officer of Health proves nature. the contrary. But it is necessary to hear Itcgarding the nature of the injusies, that there was a fracture. On the second this sentence to run concurrently with in mind that the first consideration must Mr. Jenkin went on to say, that they wore day Dr. Sanders ordered a passive and the other two. The woman was sentenced be the most deadly diseases. There was of an extraordinary kind, without piece-active movement of the fugers to prevent to six months' imprisonment on cacb of adhesion of the bones. This was the the fourth aud fifth counts, the sentences 'n death roll of over a thousand last year dent in the annals of medient fearning treatment ho would have advised in any her case to run concurrently. "Trom plague, and the deaths from small. When a mas fell, the natural thing for case. Four days after the patient was pox during the last two and a half months

admitted it was unthinkable contrary to what Mr. Anderson had stated-that he would allow him or order him to take off are about 600.

the splint. On the and December Mr. Anderson said he wanted to go home for Christmas. Witness said it was impos- sible and explained to Mir. Anderson that he had a fracture which would require supervision. Witness could not consent to his going out and said if he went he sponsibility. Mr. Anderson did not take (witness) would, disclaim all further re- his advice and walked out on the 24th of December. Witness did not know he had gone. The written records showed

him to do was to put out his hand to save himself, Counsel, who said he was The policy as regards malaria. I under prepared to fall in Court to show the stand from the Medical Officer of Health, Jury that this was 30, produced the way be taken largely as applying to skeleton of a lady's hand and proceeded dengue as well. This has been consist to explain the features of the metacarpal enfly stated by the Medical Officer of bones and the radius. He then went on Health and consistently represented to to say that he would produce experts who the Government. In this direction I would say that it was unknown to have incan attacking the mosquitos by train. fracture of the metacarpal bone and a Jng and draining." As regards this I fracture of the radius at the same time

DISABILITIES SLIGHT. PROFESSOR DIGAT'S VILA'S.

Professor E. Digby, F.R.C.S., Profes- sor of Surgery at the Hongkong Univer sity was next called. He said be on the previous morning. examined the platatif for half an hour

Mr. Jenkin: Assuming that you know nothing about the case would you say that the present condition is a good re- sult or a bad result..

Medical men would never dream of look that he removed the splints on the 10th Professor Digby: I think it is quite. a apecially detached a small staff, some ing for a fracture of the metacarpal bone Decomber with the intention of taking a good result. I found the deformity was

staff.

tions complied with.

WISHING HER

A

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

A FEW GIFT SUGGESTIONS

LANE, CRAWFORD'S are making special feature this week of dainty articles suitable for

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

POWDER PUFFS, HAND BAGS, TEA COSIES. TELEPHONE COVERS, SCAEVES. FANS, GLOVES, UMBREL- and LAS, SCENTED NOVELTIES WORK CASES are included in this Collection

THE FASHION SALON.

HOTEL BUILDING.

PEDDER STBRET.

XMAS SHOPPING

For the convenience of our Customers, we shall remain

open until 6 o'clock p.ri.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

TELEPHONE 4567.

CARRER O VIDAL & Co.

MANUFACTURERS OF STEEL BARRELS

for the exportation of any Lind of cíle.

Sole Agent for Chins

G. B. CABALLERO

OFFICE 36 Ice House Street.

P. O. Box 635.

JUST RECEIVED.

NEW STOCK OF

CANDLE SHADES.

.

BED, YELLOW, PINK, GREEN

AND

of

of

SHADE HOLDERS

months ago to make preliminary investi;|

when there was a fracture of the radius photograph but he was called away to a gaite slight. It was less than is usual gations of swamps and nullabe and, as the result of our representations to the bone. It was alleged that Dr. Sandera maternity case which took all day. On in a case of Colks fracture. All the did not treat the case as a fracture at the 1st be attempted to take a photo- mavements of the wrist, the fingers, the graph and bad it been a wholly success thumb were perfectly good with two ex- Government, it has been agreed that a

75 degrees. He could only ficx it about joint survey by the Medical Officer of all, but Dr. Sanders would state that he ful photograph be should not have alter ceptions. His wrist he could not flex to

ed the treatment at all The photo, in Health and the Drainage Authority is to knew from the moment of the admittance fact, turned out a blank. On the 28th 45 degrees. His right index finger in- be undertaken to ecttic a regular scheme of the patient to hospital that he was December he took another photo, al stead of being able to bend it to a right though he had no record of doing so na augle he can only bend it to 45 degrees. - work. That survey would have start aufering from a Colles fracture,

"Mr. Jeakin went on to deal with the the plaintiff was not a patient. It was I also found that his graan was a little all done in a moet open, friendly manner, weak. I should not put his disability as ed several weeks ago had not the small-

career of Dr. Sanders at some length. This photo did not include the upper end high as 30 per cent. If he was a pro

•pex epidemic intervened. We can never He suid that Dr. Sanders had been a of the metacarpal. Witness intended to fessional pianist his disability would be expect to eliminate the domestic mos medical practitioner for nearly a quarter take as much of the hand as possible, total. But as ejerk of works I think 15 quit This would involve domiciliary of a century. In his early professional! As far as his memory served him, wit per cent. would represent tho damage; of ness said that on the 30th December be course, I am not familiar with what he visits, twice a week to every house in the days be gained great experience in the was about to go into the theatre to per- would really have to do in the course Colony, and that is not contemplated particular class of medical work under form an operation for appendicitis when his occupationefishear, Professor

Mr. Anderson appeared. Witness told. with our present staff, or indeed with any review, lie was. resident, medical officer him it was impossible to attend to him Anatonomy at the Hongkong University, at the London Hospital for acarly two then. He told Mr. Anderson to go nud said that he examined the plaintiff's arm. Dr. Koci asked why there had been so

years and he was house surgeon there. have some lunch and he would see him He thought it was a very good result. few prosecutions, and the CHAINAŃ TO-

ture could not be seen when it was he would not have expected a better rO- The particular injury wes most plied, that the reason was that the nu. He was also honorary adviser at a Lonator. Ho later explained why the frac If he had known the condition of the mas

don Throat Hospital. He came to Hong screened in the first place. This was not suit

Even a specialist could sances had been abated. and the regulang in 1900 and had been in charge of the first time he had told Mr. Anderson exceptional

the Matilda Hospital ever since its in- that he had a fracture. In fact one of hardly be expected to look for any dam In the use Dr. Koca said that there were other ception: He was the sole man there, and the arguments used by witness to pre-ago to the metacarpal bone in view of of the X-ray screen, the witness added, things besides the elimination of plague he was in charge of the administrative vent plaintiff leaving the hospital before the fracture to the radius, and other infectious diseases. There side as well as the medical side, includ-Christmas was that he had, a fractare.

the history of the case he did not think were many new buildings. being erected ing the maternity side. And yet after The visits after Christmas were not off the photograph of the shadows of the this distinguished career, Mr. Anderson cial; they were friendly as the patient bones might be exaggerated. As regards that Dr. Bandera treatment could have in the City, right in the heart of crowd- alleged that he had failed. During the bad discharged himself before Christmas. war Dr. Sanders went back to England

been improved upon. He did not agree ed arees, and in these partially erected and once again took up his old position In reply to Mr. Alabaster regarding with Dr. Woodman's view that Dr. San- Ziones crowds of building coolies were of Resident Medical Officer of the Lon Dr. Wocdman's action in writing a letter ders should have tried to disimpact the living in insanitary conditions. There don Hospital Later he was transferred after seeing the X-ray photographs, Dr. fracture to the radius. He thought it were places in May Road where crowds as Senior Resident Medical Officer at the Sanders said the proper course would would have been almost calpable to have of ruclies were living in such conditions. Norwich and Norfolk Military Hospital have been for Dr. Woodman to have cour done such a thing, in view of the fact

where there were 500 beds Later he was municated with him.

that the result as it was was quite good." transferred to the Boscombe Military Mr. Alabaster: That is the only differ Professor Shelishcar explained at great 19-point you canst prevent anyone of many technical terme. This prompted www bo termed as extraordinary, making use his Lordship to remark that they were etiquette to do such a thing as this very grateful to Professor Shellshear for Do you suggest that this. is not an his lecture, but be was rather doubtful ne honest opinion-No, I don't think to whether it was fully understood. would like to express anything about it.The Foreman of the Jury took advan It is a letter I cannot understand any tage of the opportunity and, rising to his man writing

fect, asked his Lordship if he considered Do you suggest ita dishonest it was necessary for them to go on with opinion-I don't suggest it is dishonest. the case in view of what they had heard. You don't well, then, it is not dis. His Lordship said that if they were satisfied in their own minds that the honest-No.

plaintiff had not proved his case they could make their decision there and then. The Foreman, after consulting the other jurors, said, It is our opinion that the plaintiff has not proved his past

DR WOODMAN'S "LETTER.

He thought that the Sanitary Department Hospital with nearly 600 beda. Out in cace of opinion you can give on this length how the injuries in question could

Witness:

had wider function than that of Honggong Dr. Sanders was attacking infectious diseases generally.spected. In his opinion it had the general health Dr, Sanders, be said, would say th expressing an opinion. But it is not of the Colony under its control, which rom the time that Mr. Anderson Saally left hospital on December 28th he had not made it even more important than the seen him again until yesterday in the Medical Department. We all know," Court. He had left the hospital making continued Dr. Koca," that in these no suggestion that he been improperly

treated or that the Doctor was negli modern days the main thing is the pre-gent in his treatment. There was a com- wention of disease, which is much more pleto silence for nearly three months important thin the curing of discase." after the plaintiff had left the hospital He thought that the Board should have then out of the office of Mr. Haywood, on March 28th, there came a boomerang Buch sanitation as he had referred to well

in the form of a claim for damages, xander its controlat de de de la

was then dropped and The discussion wa this was all the business before the Board. There were present at the meet Ang Mr. G. 1 Sayer (Chairman), the Hon, Mr. H. T. Creasy (Director of Public Works), Dr. WW Pearse (the Medical Officer of Health) Dr. Ozorio, Foch, Mr, C. G Alabaster, EC, Mr. Wong Kwong tin, Mr. 8. W. Tao and The Secretary to the Board (Mr. J. A. Fraser).

Mr. Anderson states that a photograph was not taken until ten days after the Continuing, Mr. Jonkin said that if a accident. Do you agree with that 1-That man fell at the age of 50 years the dis statement is incorrect. A ability he would receive would be greater A careful person would have seen it on than a younger man would receive. The the screen and even if the man was not little disability Mr. Anderava had was in a it state on the first day what was only consonant with the good treatment to prevent a photograph being taken on be had received. No doctor would hope the following day-There was no hurry for or could expect a better result. But in taking the photograph.

it appeared that Mr. Anderson expected Then what was your object in taking a that Dr. Sanders would not only heal photograph at all For accord purposes the fracture but restore him to that con- only dition in which he had been created:

(Continued of foot of mezi column.)

His Lordsbin: Then I will give a ver- diet for the defendant

Mr Jenkin: I ask for judgment with costs

His Lordship: Yes, certainly and certificate for the special jurors,

The jurors were then discharged, his Lordship tendering to them the banks of the Colony for their attendance.

AT

ANDERSON'S.

Powell

* TELEPHONE 0. 4578,

XMAS

For Ladies

Furs, Gloves Dressing

Cases

Hand Bags

En tout cas, Hdkis. Batchets, Toilet Novelties

GIFTS

For Men

Ties, Socks Gloves, Hakfa Golf Hose, Scarves Dressing Gowns Suit Cases, etc.

Toys for Children to please all ages in great variety

For the convenience of our Customers we shall remia“ open until 8 o'nlock this week,