The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-09-14

the same diagnosis as did Dr.. 3atklns.
They would liuvo looked Mt tho case from
the standpoint of surgeon, while DIR.
Batkins viewed 1t as a physician.
DR., Johnston was cross examined by
Mr.. Meredith and said physicians having
these difficult gases should refer them
to surgeons, to determine whether tho
patient was suffering from rheumatism
or ostcOmtsts
Witness snid he could call the names
Of some physicians for whose ability Mr..
Meredith bad great respect, who hld
made the SHINE mistake. lilo said 1t wns
n common thing for rheumatism to last
for six weeks, and 1t was therefore not
unreasonable that the mistake should
have been made. Flo said because n ply
SLOAN ntndc d mistake, 1t was not neces-
snriy an evidence Of Incompetence
DR.. Johnston would not call DR. Bat
kins's mistake malprnctice.g3I lie said tho
error was one that nino4 out of ten doc
tors might make. ss,5 iS MI III u
Mrs Mr. r. Blankenship was tho next
witness. She testified! that Dry tBatklns
had treated her for about eleven years.
and had given complete satisfaction.
Witness was Il city patient. She nevor
saw any evidence that DR.. Butklns was
d +. Z l..
Mr. Meredith here declared that this
testimony was improper He said his
client had specified one patient who had
been improperly treated. and no others.
Hc said he would urge no further objec-
ton. but would not cross examine tho
witnesses who did not testify as to the
MATTERS specified In the charges,
Mr.. dordonksnld broad CHARGES OF mes
lgence and: drunkenness hal been made
against his client, aud he should have the
opportunity to disprove them NJ" Mere
dth replied and said that the scope Of
the investigation had been limited as 10
negligence by inserting the void
4 "NIathcws.
MI. Umlauf said the committee de-
sired light. and he hoped MI Gordon's
testimony would be fully admitted. Mr..
Meredith said Mr.. Matthew'S was here
In the interest or the poor of the city, and
that he had taken the case Without any
fee whatever.
Dr. Oppenhlmcr, President of the Board
OF Health, testified that DR.. batkins's
work had been satisfactory 80 far as the
clnss Of his work was concerned. lie
had some reports that the doctor was
called and did not go. He had spoken
to him and had had no recent complaints.
other physicians had likewise been re-
ported
Policeman's Testimony.
Patrolman .'Pop" Tate had known l)r.
NIhntkins for six years and he had trentcd
witness successfully EIc never saw him
take n, drink.
Pntrolmnn j. IT. McAIullen had known
DR. Batklns since the latter was u boz
JIc never knew him to be intoxicated.
Patrolmnn Krousc said Or. Batkins was
his physician Aand had been for years
he never know him to bio drunk
Mir. Gordon sitid lie. had sixty witnesses
present. who would testify along Tho same
line. lie was ready I o go on II tho conf
mittec desired, and several were put on
Tho case was at this point closed, and
the committee heard the counsel for ten
minutes each.
Mr.. Meredith reviewed the evidence
briefly. He laid stress upon the fact that
DR.. Bntkins was Il member OF the West
End Democratic and Social Club, and
that 1t was test fled thnt he drank and
played cards there
iIc thought DIR, Bntkins should be re-
moved from Office, M ~ Gordon Followed
fol-. DR.. 5Batkins and lie warmly defended
his client
Hc contcnded that he had clearly dis
proved every charge made against Dr.
Eatsins, and that ho shoul bn cNoll-
Grated by tho committee. The committee
adjourned at 1890 A. NJ. "a.