FATAL ANAESTHETIC

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 December 1926, Page 3

FATAL ANAESTHETIC

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. (Per Press Association.) 1 AUCKLAND, November 30. An inquest concerning the death of Daniel Casey, who died in the Auckland Hospital, during the administration of an anaesthetic, prior to an operation for hernia, was held this afternoon. A brother of the deceased said that deceased was a single man, and was employed as a labourer on the waterfront. A fortnight ago, he complained of pains and his trouble was diagnosed as hernia. Dr J. W. Maskell, honarary anaesthetist at the Hospital, said he had administered to Casey a mixture of ether and chloroform in the usual way. The patient was showing considerable excitement, and was struggling. Suddenly, the patient collapsed. Witness immediately removed the anaesthetic. He then commenced the usual restorative measures, which produced no result. Other measures were then taken, but the patient did hot respond. Tho operation had not been commenced. Dr Carrick-Robertson, who was to perform the operation was present during the administration of the anaesthetic. Dr E. Brown, who made the postmortem examination, attributed the cause of death to cardiac failure, following on anaesthesia. Dr H. L. Gould, Acting-Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, said that the deceased had stdted about a fortnight ago he had been lifting a heavy weight, when he felt a pain. A few days later, he saw doctors, and was told he had hernia. On being examined by Mr P. J. O’Regan, Dr Gould said that the deceased was in a fit state for the administration of the anaesthetic. Witness said there might be a collapse without any sign of weakness in the patient beforehand. He said a complete guarantee of immunity from collapse could never be given. Mr O’Regan submitted that the relatives should have been given the opportunity to engage a medical man of their own to be present at the post mortem examination. The Coroner adjourned the inquest sine die, in order that a doctor might carry out an examination on behalf of the deceased’s relatives.