It is with sincere sorrow we announce the death of Mrs Jolly, wife of our respected Mayor, who expired on Saturday afternoon, after a brief illness. The fatal issue was sudden and unexpected, and caused a painful sensation throughout the town and district, — the more so as the deceased lady was, only a couple of weeks back, in her usual health. The body was interred in the Cromwell Cemetery yesterday, and followed there by a cortege of over 250 persons from all the surrounding country. Business in town during the afternoon was entirely suspended, the various places being closed as a mark of respect. The Rev B. Drake, Presbyterian minister, conducted the funeral services at the grave, where, amid general mourning, was deposited the mortal remains of a loving mother and cherished wife. It need scarcely be said that Mr Jolly's sad loss is matter of public sympathy, as he is widely known throughout the Cromwell and Clyde districts, and as universally respected. At the conclusion of the burial rites, the officiating clergyman announced his intention of preaching a sermon next Sunday evening, specially bearing upon the mournful occasion. -Cromwell Argus, 20/4/1875.
With a great flourish of trumpets it was asserted that the Cromwell Hospital would he opened and fit to receive patients during the first week of April; yet, May is close at hand, and the long promised opening has not occurred, though the Surgeon, Matron, and Wardsman, &c., have been appointed, and are doubtless in receipt of salary. During the past two months the patients claiming admission to the Hospital of Clyde, have been double that of the number during a corresponding period for the year 1875. It is also a fact that some of them have fallen victims to fever, and it is equally true that the Resident Surgeon has only just returned from Dunedin. One case of pressing importance was left by him to the Surgeon of the Clyde Hospital, while the absence from his professional post, in the case of Mrs Jolly may very properly engage the attention of the Cromwell Hospital Committee. Accidents are constantly occurring, and the query is — “Where is the Hospital Doctor?” It would be unreasonable to suppose that a doctor cannot he allowed some spare time to himself; but to leave a very severe case of fever to another surgeon who has his own practice to attend to exclusive of the Clyde Hospital, is, to say the least, extraordinary conduct, and such as to call for investigation. That the Surgeon of the Cromwell Hospital may he well posted in his profession is not sought to he gainsayed, but it is most positively assorted that he is not justified in leaving a very hard case to another surgeon, who, not from choice, but from a conception of professional duty, attended at personal inconvenience and in the interests of humanity. What would be thought of a field captain who, when danger arrived, absented himself from his Company, or of the Commander of a merchantman, who seized the first boat when the ship struck, and left his passengers to perish? and, if the pride and principle of Englishmen leads them to regard such commanders as undeserving the trust reposed, what — by the same logic —should be applied to the surgeon who leaves his patient under any but the most imperative and pressing call? To the unbiassed it is as plain as the noonday sun that the position of the medical man is equally, if not of far more importance than that of him who is “rocked on the cradle of the deep.” The family practitioner should feel that his very presence tends to cheer the patient, as well as to impart confidence and hope to the other members of the family. That dread enemy to Cromwell — fever — has again made its appearance, and with the consequences of last summer before us — the nonsupply of pure water, the greatest curse and forerunner to sickness and disease — the permanent location of a surgeon is an established fact that is only too evident. That the friends of Dr Stirling may feel offended, and regard this as an unmerited attack I am ready to believe, but if they had been treated in the same way it is not improbable they would view the matter in a different light. “One touch of human nature makes the whole world kin.” -Dunstan Times, 23/4/1875.
No comments:
Post a Comment