Reply to a letter circulated by Mr. Simmons, containing charges against the house-surgeon of the Manchester Infirmary [i.e. J.H.] Addressed to the trustees of that charity / [John Hutchinson].

  • Hutchinson, John
Date:
1804
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reply to a letter circulated by Mr. Simmons, containing charges against the house-surgeon of the Manchester Infirmary [i.e. J.H.] Addressed to the trustees of that charity / [John Hutchinson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in the evening, I returned to it about a quarter past eight; and after having visited the Wards, waited upon Mr. Simmons for the purpose he mentions. I had a good deal of conversation with him about the Coroner’s ltquest, but as he properly observes, ‘‘ not a single word did I say respecting the paitients.” The reason of this, Sir, is very obvious, and the best of ail reasons I could possibly give; I knew nothing at all of the matter! it was neither intimated to me by my Appren- tices, nor yet (what is still more surprising) by Mr, Simmons himself, that any thing had been neglected, F could have no possible motive, therefore, to bring for- ward the subject. : The next charge brought against me is, that of being’ absent after an operation on the cheek, when Mr. Sim- mons was to attend. It is a thing unheard of, Sir, for any Surgeon of this Infirmary to appoint an hour to Meet the House-Surgeon, where his assistance is not necessary, particularly in such a case as the present, where nothing but an Anodyne draught was to be or- dered. Mr. Simmons conceives the 7ist Rule will here criminate me, I apprehend not, for did it admit of the construction he gives it, it would be tantamount to an injunction on the House-Surgeon, never for one moment: to leave the Infirmary, an injunction, I trust, that few of the Trustees would blame me, did I fail to observe. The next charge against me is, the case of incurable Cancer, where Pouce Julep, ordered at noon, was not administered till 10 o’clock the same evening. This has already been explained to the satisfaction of the Board; I shall only now repeat it on account of those Gentlemen, who were not present at the time it was first brought against me Mr. Simmons desired me to order the Neutral Julep, with five drops:of Laudanum in each dose at noon. I-did so, as the Books will testify. I left the Infirmary at two-o’clock, to take a family dinner in Princes-street. I returned at five, and in the course of the evening, hav- ing occasion: to go into the Shop, I observed the Julep in part finished, and‘standing in what we term the ‘Women’s End; I reprimanded the Apprentice for not? having finished it, when in extenuation of his error, he _ peplied, that he could not get any Lemon Juice, as I.
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