Dr GD Monteith: An Unobtrusive Wellington Surgeon who became Coroner, Provincial Surgeon and Hospital Superintendent

Abstract

The first general surgical operation performed on an etherised patient in New Zealand took place early on the afternoon of Monday, 27 September 1847, at the recently opened Wellington Colonial Hospital1. The surgeon Dr JP Fitzgerald, M.D. was assisted by Dr GD Monteith and the ether was administered by JH Marriott Esq. Whereas the biographies of Dr Fitzgerald and James Marriott have been well documented nationally2, little has been recorded concerning Dr Monteith. The following article has been compiled in an attempt to prevent the life and contributions of Dr Monteith from slipping into oblivion.