ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 17

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

DEATH UNDER ANAESTHETIC. An inquest on the body of William James Sewell, who collapsed and died under an anaesthetic while an operation was being performed on_ February 11, was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sat as coroner, and Sergeant Forsyth represented _ the police. ’ Evidence of identification was given by George Bremner Sewell, a brother of the deceased. ~ Dr D’Ath gave evidence of having conducted a post-mortem examination of the deceased. In his opinion, death occurred from heart failure caused by toxaemia arising from an acute obstruction of the bowels. Dr T. Fergus stated that he examined the deceased at 7 p.m. on February 11. He found him to be suffering from an acute abdominal condition relievable' by surgery. Witness decided ,on an immediate operation, as deceased would have succumbed had that course not been taken. The deceased took the anaesthetic satisfactorily, but shortly afterward’s witness was informed that the patient’s condition gave cause .for alarm. Witness ceased operating, and found that respiration had ceased. The usual restorative measures, mending artificial resuscitation and_ massage of the heart, were applied without avail.The operation revealed an acute intestinal obstruction. Dr Elder,- a house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital, ■who administered, the amesthetic, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. The coroner said the evidence showed that an operation had been both necessary and urgent. All due care had been taken. He returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, “ that the deceased died from toxsemia arising from an acuta intestinal obstruction while under an amesthetic for the of a necessary operation.” CONDITION UNCHANGED. There was no change this morning in the condition of John Forrester, who was admitted to the hospital on Thursday afternoon suffering from internal injuries, concussion, and shock, received when the lorry on which he was nding collided with a line of trucks near Anderson’s Bay road.