DOCTORS NOT TO BLAME.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19610, 4 May 1929, Page 4

DOCTORS NOT TO BLAME.

CHILD DIES UNDER ANAESTHETIC. The inquest into the death o£ Elsio Sumner, aged 7, who died under an anaesthetic early in the morning of April 18th, while undergoing an operation in the Public Hospital, was concluded yesterday before the Coroner, Mr H. A. Ypung. The medical evidence was that the child was in a serious condition when brought to the hospital and that an operation was decided on as a last resource. The verdict was that the child died from acute peritonitis while undergoing a necessary and urgent operation. All due care and skill had been used in the administration of the anesthetic. Dr. J. C. Pairman, who was called to see the child on the evening of April 17th, said that she was in a serious condition, evidently suffering from acute abdominal trouble. He ordered her removal to the hospital. He had made a post-mortem examination with Dr. Pearson, which showed that she was in an extremely toxic condition. This, combined with the anaesthetic, had apparently produced heart failure. The child 's case was a fatal one in any casa and in his opinion an operation was the only hope. The full extent of the toxic condition would not be known when the operation commenced. There was nothing to indicate any want of care or skill in the administration of the anaesthetic. Dr. G. Dimond, house surgeon at the Public Hospital, who administered the anaesthetic, said it Was quite evident that the child was in a serious condition. The operation began at 1 a.m. The anaesthetic proceeded satisfactorily until near the end of the operation, when her condition became alarming. The operation was immediately stopped, restorative measures were applied, but without avail, and the child died. She was duly examined before the operation. He realised that there was a risk attached to , Sdng anesthetic, but thought that the child would stand it. The anaesthetic administered was the proper one. nr B \V Pearcv said he examined the child when she "was brought to the ;„; an( l found that she had a ternpearature of 103, and was suffering from l/nte peritonitis. After carrying out a ™mbe? of tests he rang the honorary JZeol The latter came and examined S ? g °?{ deeidine to operate immediate- " fs the onlvShing' to do. Witness the adtinSion of the «»- thetic.