The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-23 00:00:00

HOUSE OF CONDIONS-YESTERDAY.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at four o'clock, when
there being only 30 members present, the house stood
adjourned until to-morrow,

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-

MITTEE.

The inquiry was resumed this morning at the usua'
hour. -

Dr. Andrew Smith was recalled, and his examination
was resumed by Mr. Layard—He stated that as soon as
he heard that the army was in want of medical stores
he sent out a quantity, but not in his official capacity.
He had seen. statements 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 there to the effect that there was no want
of lint nor bandages, even aft= the demands
made upon those requisites by the necessities of the
wounded men from the battle of Alxna. He had also
received another communication, stating that the re-
ports in the newspapers were without foundation. A
portion of the medical stores sent out were left at
Varna, and it was no fault of the medical department
that they were not sent on to Scutari..

Mr. Layard—Are you prepared to. say that no medi•
cal officer was in fault for the want of these stores'

Dr. Smith-1 cau-ducidedly assert that such was the
c2;se. I only regret that the niedi,A,.,,l officers did not
show more determination with the authorities in urging
upon them that if they did not affoml the supplies with
more expedition and regularity they should consider
themselves relieved of all responsilkility in the matter ;
and he wrote out to that effect.

Mr. Layard—What authorities do you refer to ?

Dr. Smith—The transport and the smilitary depart
ments.

Mr. Layard—Do you know whether any remon.
strances were, in consequence, adi!ressed to those de
partments by the medical officers!

Dr. Smith—Yes, over and over again.
Mr. Layard—Was any represent'Ation, 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 Hos-pital 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 beingby virtue o:f 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 \Va.!. office. That com-
mission had not power either to c erasure or to dismiss
individuals, but they could make reps esentations. That
commission had sent in a report to tive Government, but
he had not seen it.

Mr. Layard—To whom do you Mt/ ibuto the failures
that took place in connection with the hospital at
Smyrna
Dr. Smith—T cannot say.

Mr. Layard—Do you think that ycal, being the head
of the Medical Board, could throw off the responsibility
upon any indefinite persons !
Dr. Smith—l did not throw off tits responsibility. I
asked permission to do so.
Mr. Layard—Whose permission
Dr. Smith—Mr. Sidney Herbert's,
Mr. Layard—•Did Mr. Sidney Herbert that assume
the responsibility ?

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

Mr. Layard—Do you not think the public look to
you as the responsible person in sii..eh matters !
Dr. Smith—l think the public look to me as the re-
sponsible person for a great deal to 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 Ido
not know. I was not in any way consulted in reference
to that hospital, nor how it was to b•e 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 contimued 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—l certainly did.

By Mr. Ellice—He had no writiw.m instructions or
directions with regard to the establisLment of that hos-
pital, nor had he anything whatever to do with the ap-
pointment of the medical officers. He would add one
thins, however. When he understood he had 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 he therefore represented to the War-office
thet propriety of appointing a purveyor, and one was sent
out is consequence. He (Dr. Smith.), however, did not
amputation D
r.
gall
nwdyietodhu
regardaw are
toof atrrh.:.: ouredeeor
of chloroform
fboererna
Mr. Layard_ A re
Dr. Smith—lt was nointeann
appointtl 8
losutpheeder fbcohyariamme .oa
of
sug-
gestion.
Mr. Layard—Do you know that -
on whom it was necessary
order; h was simply a sug-
itr created a painful
impression on the mind 3 ot the soldfie
Dr. Smith—No. lam not awares.. lin y
ever, that I entirely agree with Dr. Ralf inathesa ' how-
on which he recommended that chloroform shogurlodunndot3
he used in severe operations ; and I am of opinion that
in cases of bad gunshot wounds, which render arnputat
tion necessary, the sufferer is much more likely to sur-
vive the operation if it is performed when he is in full
possession of his senses than if he were subjected to the
additional depression which would he occasioned by the
administration of chloroform. Dr. If' all was acquainted
with the results of all the official i nquiries which had
been made on the subject of cholera,..and would no doubt