ANAESTHESIA DEATHS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21707, 14 February 1936, Page 20

ANAESTHESIA DEATHS

TO TUB BDITOH 07 THE PKJSB3. Sir,—Of late. years the frequent deaths of patients under anaestnesia create a feeling of alarm in the mind of the public. Discussion shows un-i easiness, which is greatly enhanced by the omission to furnish in newspaper reports the name of the anaesthetic given. I am firmly of opinion that. the administration of an anaesthetic should be entrusted only to a specialist, personally experienced in the knowledge of his drug, its quantities and varying effects upon the individual. This opinion is strengthened by a recent outcry in England concerning the'quality of anaesthetics indiscriminately administered in many of the hospitals there. There are so many next to harmless,' yet effective, anaesthetics known to anaesthesia specialists that it is somewhat disconcerting to find that the old dangers still exist. I have always thought in this connexion that the appointment of a coroner alone to hold an inquest upon anaesthesia fatalities and hospital and mental asylum deaths is wholly wrong. The old system of empanelling a small jury of laymen to act with the coroner in such cases was infinitely better for all concerned and cleared the public mind of any doubt as to a full investigation. The abolition of this system some years ago, upon the score of economy, displays such a disregard for decency as to bring its authors into well-deserved contempts—Yours, etc., PAST SUFFERER. P.S.—Was not the quality of postwar anaesthetics the cause of many deaths some years ago in this Dominion? February 13, 1936*