HOSPITAL DRAMA

Evening Star, Issue 18534, 17 January 1924, Page 6

HOSPITAL DRAMA

Just as the critical moment, had arrived in an operation which was being performed at the tiny hospital at Lynton (Devon) the electric light failed, causing the suspension of the surgeons' work until candles were procured. That illumination, however, was found to be insufficient, and the completion of t he operation had to bo postponed until daylight. It was resumed tho following morning, but later tho patient collapsed and died. The story of the ordeal through which they went was told by the doctors at the inquest on Mrs Mary Ann Perkins, aged fifty-six, wife of a farmer, who was sent to tho hospital to be operated upon for appendicitis. Dr Cummins said the operation was commenced by Dr Courtney at 6.15 in the evening. Owing to acute inflammation, difficulty was experienced in finding the appendix, and just as they had done so and isolated it, the electric light went out without warning, plungingthe operating theatre into darkness. Witness held a candle in his hand aa he was giving the amesthetic, but the light was_ inadequate, and after about a couple of hours they sewed up the cur, tried to stop the bleeding, and arranged to do the operation properly next morning. The coroner said the two doctors concerned evidently did all that was possible in the circumstances, returning a verdict of “ Death from natural causes, without any blame attached to anyone.”