BOY’S DEATH

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1941, Page 7

BOY’S DEATH

UNDER ANAESTHETIC. A verdict that the death of Charles Ray Larcombe, aged 11 years, who died under an anaesthetic at the Grey River Hospital on May 2, was caused by a respiratory failure, caused by generalised oedema of the brain, following on a depressed fracture of the skull and accelerated by anaesthesia, was given by the Coroner, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, at the inquest held at Greymouth yesterday. It was an unfortunate accident, said the Coroner. Boys Indulged In dangerous games without realising any danger and without meaning to cause injury. Senidr-Sergep.iit G. F* BoHiscn con* ducted proceedings. John Alexander McDiarmid, uncle of the deceased, gave evidence nt’ identification at the opening of the inquest on May 2. He said deceaseci resided with his mother in Shakespeare Street, Greymouth, and attended the Maflst Brothers’ SchoolWitness last saw him alive on May 1. He showed no signs of illness at the time, but it was understood he was to enter the hospital to undergo an operation. Dr. N. J. Mcllroy, acting as locum tenens for Dr. H. S. Ray, of Greymouth, gave evidence of a post mortem conducted on May 2. In hts opinion death was due to respiratory failure, caused by generalised oedema of the brain, following on a depressed fracture of the skull and accelerated by the anaesthesia. Dr. D. M. Logan, medical superintendent of the Grey Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the hospital on May 1, with a depressed fracture of the left fronto parietal region of the skull. An operation was deemed advisable to elevate the depressed tissue fragments. This was performed on May 2. The anaesthesia, ethyl chloride,- followed by ether, was given by Dr. Greenslade, and the operation was performed bywitness. Deceased did not take the anaesthetic, as well as usual,-but gave no cause fpi\ anxiety. The operation was commenced at 9.45 a.m., and was almost completed when the boy collapsed, and : his breathing stoppedRestorative'measures were tried, but he died'at‘lo.-30 aim; ‘ The . injuries were consistent with his having received a blow on the head with' a hard substance, ■ The Coroner asked wnat was the actual cause of death. Dr. Logan said that it would be hard to ' tell the actual , cause without bringing in details of the post mortem examination. ‘A ten-year-old boy. gave evidence that on April 13 about 2 p.m. he accompanied two boys and deceased to the brick kiln at Karoro where they met two more boys and a girl. A mud fight, which started, developed into a stone fight, and witness saw a stone thrown by one of the boys which hit a pile of bricks, bounced off and hit deceased on the head. About ten minutes later deceased could not speak properly and "they all went home. . .

A 12-year-old boy, giving corroborative evidence, said that he thought the stone which hit deceased was a small piece of brick thrown by witness. Mrs. Ellen Gladys . Vera Larcombe, residing at 161 Shakespeare Street, said her husband was overseas with the military forces. On April 13, about 4 p.m:, deceased, came home. When witness went' out he : was sitting in a chair - in a slumped position. Witness asked-; hihp what’ was the matter, and he started to cry. He was unable to speak. After awhile he-started to talk-slowly and told witness he had been hit on the head. -,Witness;,did .not send for a doctor. He .appeared’ to get better every day., and witness sent, him to school, sending, a note to. the Brother to w.aitch him.,Ori'the/Frid,ay ; when deceased came.- home, frorn school . he; told witness-that ;the Brother, said-.he was getting . on ; fine .-and ..witnesswould not need - to ■ take ; . hiip’.-.to, ajdofe tor. ' Oil,-April; 23Y.;hfi ;Avas/.ekamiriftt. by the school nurse, who said -he

would have to be taken.to a doctor to be examined. Witness took him to Dr. McFarlane, who gave her a note to take to Dr. Greenslade at the Hospital. He was X-rayed and later admitted to the Hospital. Dr. Greenslade informed witness that there was a piece of bone pressing down and would have to be lifted. After the accident, on April 13, deceased informed witness that a boy had thrown the stone which hit him on the head. They had been playing at the brick kiln.