Melancholy Death.— Regret was very generally expressed when it became known on Wednesday afternoon that William Henderson, who was well known during the past two years as driver of the mail coach between Invercargill and Balclutha, had succumbed to the prevailing epidemic of pneumonia. By his genial and obliging manners the deceased had become a general favorite. His untimely end will be much deplored along the road. -Southland Times, 9/7/1875.
The enquiry into the cause of death of William Henderson, driver of the mail coach between Invercargill and Balclutha, which was commenced on Thursday, concluded this evening, having been adjourned from day to day. The following is the verdict of the Jury: — "We find, in conformity with the medical evidence adduced, that deceased died from double pneumonia and peritonitis, by exposure, he having escaped with but slight clothing from the Hospital in very inclement weather. We further desire to add as a rider, that it is with regret we consider it our duty to record our opinion that the medical and general supervision and arrangements of the Hospital are exemplified by this case, have been insufficient and extremely defective and demand the strictest investigation by the Committee of Management. That immediate steps require to be taken for the appointment of a resident surgeon, greater accommodation and a more efficient staff." -Otago Witness, 17/7/1875.
The Western Star. (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1875.
An intense interest has been felt in the inquiry into the cause of death of the late William Henderson at the Invercargill Hospital. The inquest was presided over by J. Turnbull, Esq., R.M. (in the absence of the Coroner.), and the necessity of an inquiry is sufficiently borne out by the evidence that was adduced. To those of our readers who peruse the three days’ proceedings, the circumstances must be sufficiently harrowing, and .it is not our intention to excite sensational emotions by dwelling on the painful facts of the case. So far as itself is concerned, the public were well and ably represented by an unusually respectable and intelligent jury, who hesitated not to add a comprehensive rider to their verdict, in the face of what certainly bears the appearance of a little bit of special pleading of the Acting Coroner in behalf of the Hospital staff. In drawing attention to the case, we would simply desire to point out that such an institution remaining in the hands of a committee of the public is extremely liable to abuse. The money obtained for its support is mainly from the country, yet the management, from motives of convenience and the force of circumstances, devolves on a small circle of tradesmen; not because they are peculiarly qualified by experience or ability, but because they reside in the vicinity, and can therefore attend committee meetings. We know how easily, under such circumstances, members of a staff can make matters comfortable in salaries or duties so long as they keep a majority of the Committee on their side; and, if a troublesome member creeps in, how easy to stop his re-election —such things have been done before, and can be done again. Let us now turn to the other mode of management, namely, Governmental control. Governments, as a rule, protect themselves from attack by employing, as heads of departments, men of sufficient calibre to be masters of their art, and of sufficient zeal and energy to prevent abuses. To have a Government for our master is conducive to an elevated, and responsible feeling; but for a gentleman of extraordinary education and attainments, as a good surgeon must be, to have ten or a dozen respectable — but not necessarily educated or intelligent — shopkeepers as his masters, to whom he must defer, and upon whose favour depends the amount of his salary, we say — and say it with a deep conviction — must tend to lower the social standard of the man in whom we ought implicitly to rely in sickness or accident. The jury recommended the appointment of a resident surgeon, and properly so; but, if we want a good article, we must pay a price; and can the Institution afford it? As, however, the recommendation of the jury ought to carry weight enough to effect a change, it becomes a matter of paramount importance that every qualified medical man in the district shall be invited to place himself on the honorary or visiting staff. It would not only be a salutary check to the officials, but if our friends A. B. and C. become in-patients, is is some slight advantage to them, as members of the public, to be able to declare under which doctor each would prefer to be treated. The experience of the Old Country should not be slighted; and th
at has proved, whatever little bickerings or jealousies doctors may indulge in outside, where private practice and private gains cause them to collide, yet in the hospitals, where, alone and unremunerative, is before them, they well and ably assist one another in trying to relieve poor suffering humanity of some of its painful burthens. -Western Star, 17/7/1875.
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