page_0310

[note in red ink at top]
Insanity

Reception House
Brisbane, 27th. December 1888.

The Assistant
Under Colonial Secretary

Sir

In compliance with your instructions, I
respectfully beg to furnish you with a full
statement respecting the nonattendance of the
medical officer at the institution when requested
to do so by telephone.

On the 25th. November last at 1.30 p.m. a patient
named Spillane was received from the Lockup
on the medical certificates of the medical officer
and Doctor Purcell, the patient was in a very bad
state having been taken out of the River about
an hour before. I telephoned to the medical
officer at 5.30.p.m. asking him to see Spillane
as his legs were very much swolen and was
very bad, the Medical Officer said I will come
and see him, but he did not come, on Tuesday
the 27th. Novr. the Official Visitor Dr. Hill made
his official visit and seeing the condition
Spillane was in he Dr. Hill asked when the
medical officer last saw him, I said on the 25th.
before admission not since, Dr. Hill said
the patient should be seen at once, I telephoned
again to the medical officer on Tuesday at
5.p.m. and told the medical officer the bad
state Spillane was in and that I was afraid
he would not get over it, he replied I thought so
I will come and see him, he did not come,
I telephoned again on the 29th. Novr. when a female
answered in reply to my question is the
Doctor

[oblique notes]
Send copy to Dr
Kesteven for report
& explanation
B.D.M.
4/1/89

Med Officer [...]
7.1.89 55

[oblique note in red]
Previous
88 10732 Medl. Officer