The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10

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opening of the defense stated that Dr.
Wilson continued to come to see
Mitchell; found that the leg was down
to full length and gradually decreased
the weight on the same; that Dr. Will
son never refused to come when call
ed; that after four or five weeks had
elapsed, DIR. Wilson began to talk hos
pital to Mitchell, telling him that he
ought to be there and that finally DR..
Moulton told him they would try the
treatment sixty days longer On the
seventh day of June, realizing they
had done all they could without hos
pital treatment and that the bones
were not united, so the defense claims.
the doctors took off the long splints
and told Mitchell he must receive
treatment at the hospital, DR.. Moulton
telling him that he would arrange for
his entrance to hospital, but that
Mitchell did not let him. The next
day it was alleged that DR.. Wilson
was at the Mitchell place again with
DR.. Marsh and DR.. Dorr, called by
some of the Mitchell family. They
came on March 8. Both doctors
found the plaintiffs leg in perfect al
lignment and length, according to the
defense, in good condition without
sores, but bone not united, and know
ing that the patient was going to the
hospital, did not put the straps back
on the leg. They refused to take the
case, it was alleged and DR.. Redman
of Dexter came, the defense claiming
that the leg which was stripped, was
found in good condition with no sores
on it, The attorney in opening said
they were unable to tell who put the
weight on the leg after this, If it was
found by DR.. Rowland. Attorney
Merrill considered trfs. to be one of
the gases where nature will not throw
off callus, the cement which would
unite the bone.
DR.. Moulton was the first witness
called by the defense and was nterro-
gated by Attorney Perkins. He gave
his age as 81 years, that he graduated
from the medical department of Bow
doin College and had praeticed in
Hartland and st. Adams. He had
probably had 500 fractures and per-
haps 80 thigh fractures. The witness
told of being called to the Sumner
Mitchell place in Harmony to reduce
the fracture. He went by automobile
and was accompanied by his son Ar
thur l.. MoultOn DR.. Moulton said
that he told Mr.. Mitchell that he was
in a bad condition and that he thought
he had best go to hospital where he
could have the advantages of equip
ment and occasional X-ray pictures,
but plaintiff said he did not want to
leave home and that they could set
it. Witness said he replied that he
thought they could set the leg all
right, but couldn't tell the outcome.
The doctor then related what steps he
took in preparation for setting the
leg, calling for a long side splint
which was procured by Ralph Den
ming; that he folded a sheet to form
a protection to the body from the
board and wound the whole with
gauze bandage until it was entirely
covered; made three splints and made
use of light perforated metal switch
which perfectly fits the back part of
the leg from about the middle of the
calf of the leg up on the thigh. which
was also padded. The doctor describ
ed in detail his treatment of the frac-
ture, which included he said, cleans
ing of the leg, shaving, etc. with
DR.. Wilson administering the ether. A
puncture on the inner side of the CEN
ter part of the thigh apparently made
by a calk of the horses shoe was not
ed and the physician said he left out
! the middle splint so the wound could
be cared for.
/ DR.. Mouton testified that he left
strict orders that the leg must not be
disturbed; that he told Mrs. Mitchell
what he had done. and while she said
that she wanted the leg left just right
with regard to length, after an ex-
PLANTATION from himself, she seemed
satisfied Witness said he told Mrs.
Mitchell he could not attend to it be-
cause of the distance of his office
from the Mitchell home and that Dr.
Wilson agreed to look after it, he
agreeing to come himself in about 80
days and make such changes as SEEM
ed necessary. The doctor believed
that the nearest portable X-rays were
] fOrty-seven miles away In Bangor or
Waterville. Witness further testified
I lIlul lit DedIu HUN
every three days and on January "a he
visited Mitchell again, finding that the
bandages and splnts were loose, indi
eating that the patient had moved
about: that he could see the bones
were not in their proper places. Wit
ness said he removed dressings.
cleansed the leg and put it in plaster
caste, seeing no sores and consider
ing the leg in normal condition. The
doctor testified that feeling that the
bones could not unite he put on a
caste for transportation purposes, as
he expected the man would have to
go to hospital and came to Skowhe
gan TO see about place for Mitchell