NEWS 379

ALBERTA

Dr. G. B. Mills, who formerly practised at Czar, plhysicians have been specializing in diseases of the eye, , has removed to Senlac, Saskatchewan. ealr, niose and thr oat. Dr. P. S. Brown of Drumheller is at present in Dr. L. R. Bow, of the City Health Department, Clhicago engaged in post-graduate work. Regina, has been appointed Deputy-Minister of Healtlh for Alberta in succession to the late Dr. W. E. Laidlaw. Dr. W. J. Hanna, until riecently praetising in , lhas accepted a mine contract at Mercoal on The Council of the College of Physicians and Sur- the Coal Branch west of Edmonton. geons recently received a circular from the British Medical Association announcing the Catherine Bishop Dr. M. J. Brayton has returned to Gadsby, having Ilar man prize for the encouragement of research into spent some montlhs in post-graduate work at the the disorders incident to maternity. The prize will be People's Hospital, Akron, Ohio. given every two years and will be the net annual income for two years from £1,000 and is open to any registered Dr. Madge Onhauser, a graduate of Manitoba hlysician in the Britislh Empire. University in 1925, is now specializing in diseases of women and children in , after having seirved a A recent couirt decision in this province is of year's inteirneship in a women 's hospital in California. interest to the medical profession. The action arose over the question as to who was responsible to the an.rsthetist for his fees, since he claimed that the We are pleased to note that Dr. F. W. Stockton of surgeon who requested him to give the ana3sthetic Calgary ha.s so far recovered from a protracted illness assumed the financial responsibility whether he received as to have been able to leave the hospital. the amount from the patient or not, so that he looked to him for payment. Dr. L. C. Chadsey of Exshaw was recently married Juidge Boyle of the Supreme Court of Alberta, ruled to Miss Goodison of the Calgary Public Schools' Staff. that: ' The question is whether or not the defendant ever in law or by contract made himself primarily The annual banquet of the Calgary Medical Society liable for the payment of the fees of the other doctor was held on February 1st in the Hudson 's Bay Company 's when he called him in to administer an anesthetic or Elizabethan dining rooms, and was presided over by for a consultation. The evidence convinces me that Dr. R. 0 'Callaghan. Among the guests were His Honour there was no definite arrangement made between the Lieutenant-Governor William Egbert, a former president two physicians in that respect but that the custom has of this society; Dr. F. A. Keillor, representing the been over a period of years between them, that the Edmonton Academy of Medicine; Dr. F. A. Fish, repre- surgeon, as he received money from his patients for the senting the Medicine Hat Medical Society; and Dr. J. services rendered by the anaesthetist, paid the money E. Lovering, of the Lethbridge Medical Society. over to him. It seems to me that in the absence of proof of a custom, the onlus of such proof in my opinion being on the plaintiff, that I must hold that where a Dr. William Hackney of Calgary has returned from doctor calls in another physician to assist him in a visit to Chicago where he spent some time in eye, rendering services to the patient that he does it on an car, nose and throat work. implied request by the patient, and the doctor who renders those services can sue the patient directly for Dr. W. G. Saunders, a graduate of Alberta Univer- the money and in the absence of any agreement to the sity in 1925, is now practising in Sedg-vick, where a contrary and any custom, which has not been proven to vacancy was left owing to the death of Dr. A. E. me, tho law is that the doctor is not primarily liable Wickens. for those fees, that the patient is primarily liable. Taking this view it seems to me that the plaintiff must Drs. Gordon L. McGuffin and J. M. Adams of fail in his claim for the reasons mentioned." Calgary have formed a partnership. Both of these G. E. LEARMONTH

BRITISH COLUMBIA

A meetinig of the full Executive Committee of the a great dleal has alrea(ly been accomplishe(l. The British Columbia Medical Association was held in speakers who so far have been secure(d -are: Dr. B. '. on January 30th. Many important matters Watson, formerly of Toronto and Edinburgh, now Pro- of an economic nature were dealt with, and seventeen fessor o-f Gvnecology, Columbia University and at the new members elected to the association. Sloalle Hospital. New York; Dr. Clarence L. Starr, Dr. John Oille and Dr. J. G. Fitzgerald, of Toronto; and Plans are now well in hand for the summer school Dr. Herbert C. Moffitt of San Francisco. We hope in of the Vaiicouver Medical Association. This important the next issue of this Joutrnal to be able to print more part of the society 's work is, we need not say, deserving particulars with regard to the actual programme wlhicli of tlhe interest ancd whole-hearted suppor't of every will be presented. Meantime we would ask all doetors member of the profession in BIritish Columbia. No in British Columbia to make mental and actual note persuasion should be needed to secure attendance. This of the date of this meeting. June 21st to 24th inclusive co-operative means of bringing to our door at a cost and to reserve these dates. whieh is ridiculoUsly small, some of the best exponents of the science and art of medicine should appeal wvithd*t On January 29th the new Infectious Diseases Hos- further comment. The committee in charge this year pital adjacent to the Vancouver General Hospital, was has started the work both early and vigorously- and formally opened. Almost immediately the adjacent