SALMOND INQUEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1930, Page 2

SALMOND INQUEST

SURGEON’S ACTION UPHELD;

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, September 12.

At the Salmond inquest, Dr. MacGibbon said that he could have himself filled the syringe, but both his hands were occupied with the operation, and it was the ordinary procedure for a surgeon to leave that duty to the nurse, who was always competent to do it. Witness described the operation, saying that, soon after it started, tho patent got restless, and while lie was tTjShg to soothe her, he noticed her mouth twitching. He asked the nurs'e what she had put in the syringe. She replied: “Adrenalin and cocaine.’’ He tlien iflwew the instruments aside, and told Dr. Crawshaw that they must adopt artificial respiration. The usual remedies for cocaine poisoning were followed. In such cases the patient usually recovered in two hours. They were with Miss Salmond for three hours and a-half. The erj’or that war. made by the nurse was certainly not diie to lack of care on her part. She was a good nurse. He did not blamb the ntirSq at all. It was pure misadventure.

Evidence was given by Drs. Crawshaw, Sandston and Guthrie. All of them agreed that Dr. Mac Gibbon’s procedure in allowing the nurse to fill the syringe, and in refraining from naming the drug was usual and correct.

After the evidence and the counsel’s addresses, the Coroner thanked comisel for their able co-operation in v public service. The points raised were of a delicate nature; and required detached thought. He would, perhaps, express an opinion at-a later date.