The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-22 00:00:00

EPSOM RACES.

(THIS DAY.)

(EY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPLI.)

RAILWAY PLATE.

Flageolet
HcFpodar
Conspiracy

Seven ran.
ARRIVED —Sharesbrook, Pantheon, Antoinette, and
Topy.

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-

MITTEE --(THIS DAY.)

The inquiry was resumed this morning at the usual

hour.

Dr. Andrew Smith was recalled, and his examination
was resumed by Mr. Layard—He stated that as soon as
ho heard that the army was in scant of medical stores
he sent out a quantity, but not in his official capacity.
He had seen E tit em en ts in the newspapers to the effect
that lint was much required at Scutari hospital, and
immediately he sent out to ascertain whether there
was any truth in these reports ; and, in reply,
received a communication from the chief apothe-
cary ther3 to the effect that there was no want
of lint nor bandagea, even after the demands
made upon those requisites by the necessities of the
wounded men from the *battle of Alma. He bad also
received another communication, stating that the re-
ports in the newspapers were without foundation. A
large portion of the medical stores sent out were left at
Varna, and it was no fault of th 3 medical department
that they were not sent on to Scutari.

Mr. Layard—Are you prepared to eay that no medi-
cal officer was in fault f)r the want of these stores ?

Dr. Smith—l can decidedly assert that such was the
ca3e. I only regret that the medical officers did not
show more determination with the authorities in urging
npcn them that if they did not afford the supplies with
more expedition and regularity they should consider
themselves relieved of all responsibility in the matter ;
and he wrote out to that effect.

Mr. Layard—What authorities do you refer to?
Dr. Smith—The transport and the military depart-

meats.

Mr. Layord—Do you know whether any remon-
strances were, in consequence, addressed to those de-
partments by the medical officers ?

Dr. Smith—Yes, over and over ngaln.
Mr. Layard—Was any representatior, to your know-
ledge, made to the Commander-in-Chief ?
Dr. Smith replied that he could not say.
Examination continued—The appointment of medical
officers to superintend Scutari Hosittal were made by
Dr. Hall, subject to the approval of the_Commander-in-
Chief._ This appointment was not a permanent one.
Whilst the officer was there he was only head of the
hospitals for the time being by virtue of his seniority. This
is a general regulation in the service. On his suggestion
a commission was sent out to Scutari to inquire into the
alleged mismanagement in the medical departments of the
hospital. He at first proposed it as a matter of personal
justice to himself, but the idea was afterwards adopted
and carried into effect by the War-office. That com-
mission bad not power either to censure or to dismiss
individuals, but they could make representations. That
commission had sent in a report to the Government, but
he had not seen it.

Mr. Layard—To whom do you attribute the failures
that took place in connection with the hospital at
Smyrna ?

Dr. Smith—l cannot say.

Mr. Layard—Do you think that you, being the head
of the Medical Board, could throw off the responsibility
upon any indefinite persons ?

Dr. Smith—l did not throw off the responsibility.
asked permission to do so.

Mr. Layard—Whose permission ?
Dr. Smith—Mr. Sidney Herbert's.
Mr. Layard—•Did Mr. Sidney Herbert then assume
:he responsibility I

Dr. Smith—l do not know ; I was not again con-
sulted.

Mr. Layarl—Do you not think the public look to
you as no responsible person in such matters ?
Dr. Smith—l think the public look to me as the re-
sponsible person fur a great deg too much.
Mr. Ellice—Do you know who gave instructions for
the establishment of that hospital ?
Dr. Smith—l think it was the War-office ; but I do
not know. I was not in any way consulted in reference
to that hospital, nor how it was to be carried on. I was
only desired to do one thing, that was to provide a suf-
ficient supply of medical stores and medical comforts ;
and I accordingly ordered, and continued to order, what
I considered sufficient to meet the wants of the patients
it contained ?

Mr. Roebuck—Then the answer you received from
Mr. Sidney Herbert you considered relieved you from
all responsibility ?
Dr. Smith--I certainly did.

By Mr. Eiliee—He bad no written instructions or
directions with regard to the establishment of that hos-
pital, nor had be anything whatever to do with the ap-
pointment of the medical officers. He would add one
thing, however. When he understood be bad to pro-
vide medical stores, he thought there ought to be a pur-
veyor appointed at the hospital to receive and take care
of them ; and ho therefore represented to the War-office
the propriety of appointing a purveyor, and one was sent
out in consequence. Hs (Dr. Smith), however, did not
appoint him.

Mr. Layard—Are you aware of any order having been
issued by Dr. Hall vi Rh regard to the use of chloroform
in the case of wounded men on whom it was necessary
to perform amputation ? . .

Dr. Smith—lt was not an order; it was simply a sug-

gestion.
Mr. Layard—Do you know that it created a painful
impression on the minds of the soldiers ?

Dr. Smith—No. lam not aware. I may say, how-
ever, that I entirely agree with Dr. Hall in the grounds
on which be recommended that chloroform should not-
be used in severe operations ; and I am of opinion that
in cases of bad gunshot wounds, which render amputa:
tion necessary, the sufferer is much more likely to sur-
vive the operation if it is pea, rated when he is in full
possession of his senses than if he were subjected to the
additional depression which would be occasioned by the
administration of chloroform. Dr. Hall was acquainted
with the results of all the official inquiries which had
been trade on the subject of cholera, and would no doubt
have taken every precaution against that diseas.e. In-
deed there was no medical man in the United Kingdom
who was more capable of giving good advice on the sub-
ject, or grappling with the disease when it did break out.

Mr. Layard—Were the ambulance waggons submitted
;o you before they went out ?

Dr. Smith—They were designed by myself ; and not-
withstanding .the objections which have been urged
against them, I maintain that they are well adapted to
their purpose. The only objection I have to them is
their weight.

Mr. Layard—After what you have heard and read
relative to these waggons, should you recommend n con.
tinuance.of their use ?
Dr. Smith—l should.

Examination resumed.—lt was the duty of the pur-
veyor at Balaklava to supply medical comforts for the
use of the sick and wounded sent to Scutari in the trans-
ports. He believed Mr. Fitzgerald was the purveyor
there ; but he had received no repqrts to the effect that
the purveyor, whoever he •"08" 11.'2 hilfilled his
duty is this respect. A number of ambulance waggons
on the French plan, and a number of littera and chairs,
were about to be sent out forthwith.
Smith was still proceeding
reportmivati wason ofDr.
despatched.
when thin thexisa