A full report of the investigation into the charges of Doctor Bowerbank in reference to the late outbreak of small-pox in Saint Andrew / taken by Mr H.F. Figueroa, reporter of the 'Colonial Standard and Jamaica Despatch'.

Date:
MDCCCLXXIII [1873]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A full report of the investigation into the charges of Doctor Bowerbank in reference to the late outbreak of small-pox in Saint Andrew / taken by Mr H.F. Figueroa, reporter of the 'Colonial Standard and Jamaica Despatch'. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    349/432 (page 343)
    3J.3, me he luul been sent for to see Mrs Stoalcely and that it had been represented to him that I had nob seen her the day before. He told me slie was in a very bad way—she was suffering from Menorrhagia and he had a written Pre- scription which contained I think Ergot of Bye, Gallic Acid, and Sulphuric Acid. Dr. Bowerbauk.—And Cannabis Indica. Dr. Cargill.—However, I made up the Prescription and took it with me, for I always had a very high respect for Dr. Bowerbank as a Physician and always followed liis advice whenever we met. I took it to Mr. Nairne's who 1 met in the piazza. I accused him of havuig, not wil- fully, mis-stated facts. I said I shall put Dr. Smith aside in this matter and we shall first iiscertain whether this is his patient or not. Mi-. Nairne said '^I always intended it as such. She is your patient; I said if she is my patient then I will take care of her to the end. I went into the room, called for a tea spoon, and examined her throat most carefully—I was as close to her as I am to this book; felt her pulse, lifted up her eyelids, and I at once saw she was going to die—that she had what I caU mahgnant Small-pox. Dr. Bowerbank might differ with me in the diagnosis but that's my opinion. I saw Mrs. Stoakely again that night, and gave her Dr. Bower- bank's medicine and saw her next day, this was Thurs- day; and Friday I saw her again. She was then dying. There were large purple spots on her body; the larynx was affected; whenever she put her handkerchief to her mouth and removed it, there was blood. The Small-pox had scarcely come out before she was death struck and I think I then told the family there was not the sUghtest hope. I had the room fumigated, ordered away every one but those attending to her and did everything I could for her. When I returned to pay a second visit I was told she was dead, as I fully expected to hear. That's Mrs. Stoakely case. In the meantime the Colonel had put Camp into a sort of quarantine. I wa« only allowed at Camp then as I had visited there very often in consultations. Dr. Smith told me he did not think he could see any patient outside. This was after. I dont think he would have been allowed to come to Half way tree because Mr. Nicholson was prevented going to Church. On sending in my bill for attending Mrs Stoakely,