A CHILD'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17812, 11 July 1923, Page 6

A CHILD'S DEATH.

j COLLAPSE UNDER j ANAESTHETIC. The inquest concerning the death of Roy Kitchener Cosgrove, aged six years, son of James Cosgrove, labourer, of Rangiora, who died while uncfer an anaesthetic at the Christchurch Hospital on Friday, was resumed yesterday before Mr Wyvern "Wilson, District Coroner. Dr. R. G. Shackleton, house surgeon at the Christchurch Hospital, stated that the boy had been admitted to the institution suffering from a rupture caused through a motor accident. It was considered that an operation was necessary, and in view of this the boy was examined. As a result of the examination it was ascertained that the patient's heart was not normal. The other surgeons had been advised of this fact. Dr. M. Robertson said that he had administered the anaesthetic, which was composed principally of ether. The patient took the anaesthetic well, and witness had been careful in its administration. After about four or five minutes the patient had collapsed, ana witness had informed the operating surgeon of the fact. Th© operation was stopped, and the usual methods of restoration used, but these proved fruitless. Dr. W. Irving stated that he considered the operation urgently necessary, and under the circumstances he held that the administration of an anaesthetic was justified. The correct anaesthetic had been used. Dr. H. T. D. Acland, of the honorary staff of the Christchurch Hospital, said that he conducted the operation, considering that it was the best tiling to do. There was no alternative if a cure was to be effected. The anaesthetic was carefully administered. Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist, Christchurch Hospital, said that, as the result of his post-mortem examination he believed the child could 'hardly have lived more than a few years. The Coroner returned, a verdict that death was due to heart failure, caused by progressive endocarditis and accelerated bv anaesthesia ond a condition of status lymphaticus". He remarked that t.here was no do"bt that full rare had been taken and that the operation was necessary.