The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-25
DOCTOR WON l
HIS ACTION
Sued Richardson For
Services Rendered.
LACK OF SKILL ALLEGED.
Mrs. Richardson Had an Abscess
Doctor Didn't Discover.
PHYSICIANS AS WITNESSES.
LACK OF SKILL ALLEGED.
PHYSICIANS AS WITNESSES.

There was lots of interesting medical
land, in the civil division of the Sixth
District court. this morning. in the
trial OF suit in which DIR. Mccullough
sought to recover a balance due on a
bill for $42 for services rendered Frank
E. Richardson and his wife. The latter
died at the Rhode Island hospital last
November, and Mr.. Richardson set
up as a defence to the payment OF part
of the balance due that the doctor did
not have skill enough to discover what
allied his wife, and that the amount
charged for services to her should be
deducted from the bill, and this claim,
il allowed, would have wiped out the
alleged Indebtedness, as there had been
payments made on the bill.
E DIR. Mccullough testified that he
treated the deceased on two different
times; once his services were required,
but short time, as she had malaria,
from the evil effects of which his skill
soon relieved her. He had on three oc-
casions treated her husband. The Sec
ond time he visited Mrs. Richardson
was about two months later, in Oc-
tober, 1897, and he found her suffering
from pains in the abdomen and legs.
On ascertaining she had rhe imatism
previously he supposed that was the
cause the pains. Next there were
some symptoms of appendicitis dis
covered, and finally bronchitis set in.
So severe did the latter disease become
that he visited her three or four times
a day. not only to prevent her falling
a victim to pneumonia. but to get. IL
possible, better understanding of the
q ~ N no NJ he, .1<
veloped. Mrs Richardson. he said, died
afterwards at the hospital, after an
operation for an abscess in the lum-
bular region. He said that the woman's
family had called in DR.. Terry. Dr. Nc
Cullough also said that he had charged
for but one visit a day. and admitted,
on cross-examination, that the medicine
he gave his patient was chiefly medi-
cine to relieve pain.
DR.. Terry testified that he called to
see Mrs. Richardson at the request of
her family, and afterwards had con-
sultation with DIR. Mccullough. The
result Of the consultation and examina-
tion showed the woman to have bron-
chitis, and there was some evidence of
appendicitis. but not enough to justify
an operation. AS Mrs. Richardson was
large woman and fieshy, 1t was hard
to discover the presence of an abscess
in her lurnbular region. DIR. Terry said
he was present at the operation in the
hospital. and it was not performed un-
til she was there about four days.
DIR. .DeWolf of the hospital said that
the record of the case made showed
that when Mrs. Richardson entered
that institution there was SO much
adipose tissue about the heart that it's
weak beating could with difficulty be
heard. No evidence of an abscess was
discovered until she was there four
Ia nd WI ho ,f n
normal condition in the lumbular re-
gion was discovered she was sent to the
surgeons department. The witness
said he did not think any one could be
charged with carelessness in failing to
discover the abscess. On cross -exami-
nation he said he believed that Mrs.
Richardson was treated the first two
days she was in the hospital for rheu-
matism.
DR.. Hersey, who performed the oper-
alton, said there was q large abscess
in the right side. He could not tell
how long 1t had been there, as il might
have formed very quickly. possibly in
two or three days. He did not think
there was anything surprising in the
failure of DR.. Mccullough to discover
any abscess, and from the symptoms
the woman might have had appended
tbs, rheumatism or some other COM
plant. The doctor also said that he
had attended the deceased years ago
for weak heart, and when she was at
the hospital she had to be propped up
by pillows so she could breathe.
A woman who had acted as nurse for
Mrs. Richardson testified that she did
not think the plaintiff knew what was
the matter with the deceased; in fact,
she had heard the doctor say so. though
at the same time he said he was treat
ing her for rheumatism. Once Mrs.
Richardson had said to witness. II have
got an abscess in my side" placing her
hand on her right side. She did not
know whether or not Mrs. Richardson
made the same remark to the doctor.
Mr.. Richardson, the defendant, testi-
fed that the plaintiff told him once the
case puzzled him. Witness admitted he
thought DIR. Mccullough was Aoing
everything possible for his wife.
Judge Sweetland said he saw no evil
dence of lack OF skill, and gave the doc
tor plaintiff judgment for $50. the un-
A - n hfo