INQUESTS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18777, 23 August 1926, Page 4

INQUESTS.

MAN IN HOTEL YARD. At the Christchurch Hospital on Saturday morning, before Mr H. A. Young, Coroner, an inquest was opened on the body of Francis Sullivan, who was found lying in a pool of blood in the yard at tho back of 'the Excelsior Hotel on Friday evening. Evidence of identification was given by' George Fox Webster, licensee of the hotel, Sergeant J. Macnamara watching the proceedings for the police. A post-mortem was ordered, and the inquest was adjourned sine die. From the details available it appears that Sullivan was seen about the hotel several times during the day. Ihe licensee found liim gasping for breath in the back yard, and beside him was some broken glass. As the glass in the bathroom window was broken, and the broken pieces found _ beside Sullivan correspond, it is possible that he fell out of the window. DEATH UNDER ANAESTHETIC. The adjourned inquest into tlie circumstances of the death of Stewart James Rcnnie, of Doyleston, a child of five years and seven months of age, who was suddenly taken ill on July 25th, and died during the administration of an ana?sthetic, was held on Saturday before the Coroner, Mr J±. Dr.° C. Sandston said that on Julv '2sth ho was called to the child s residence by Dr. Johnston, and arrived at 10 o'clock. The child had been taken ill on the/previous evening and was in a bad state, and almost unconscious when he arrived. Respiration was difficult, and it was obvious that the child had only a few'hours to live. It was suffering from acute inflammation and obstruction of the throat, and an anacsthetio was necessary. The child struggled when handled. The risk of the anaesthetic was explained to the parents. After a few inhalations of chloroform the breathing stopped. Tho throat v\as opened immediately, but the child did not revive. The heart was massaged and evervthing possible was done to Sore respiration. Tlie doctor took a swab, but the bactcnologist repQrted that there was no diphtheria. The anesthetic was not administered without consultation with other doctois present. Death was due to acute inflammation of the larynx. ■. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.