HOSPITAL INQUIRY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 June 1935, Page 4

HOSPITAL INQUIRY

DEATH FROM MENINGITIS CHILD IN ADVANCED STAGE HAD NO HOPE OF RECOVERY. (By Telegrapn—rress Association.) AUCKLAND, June 26. A finding that the death of a three-years-old boy, Desmond Wallace Morrissey, in the children’s ward at the Auckland hospital on May 29 was in no. way due to faulty or delayed treatment was reached at an inquiry held by tjio Auckland Hospital Board today.' Tlfe inquiry was held at the request of the child’s father, Mr William Morrissey, Kiugsland, who based his complaints on tho finding of the coroner that death had been accelerated by the accidental puncturing of a blood* vessel. The child was admitted to the hospital at noon on May 29 with a report that he might be developing tetanus. From his symptoms meningitis was suspected and then confirmed, and an.operation was ordered. AVliile this was being carried out the child died. The medical superintendent, Dr. J. Wri Craven, said the finding recorded byjjilr Wyvem Wilson, SsM., was that the; boy died at the Auckland hospital on-’May 29 when in a state of anaesthesia necessarily and properly induced for the purpose of a surgical operation and that the cause of death was ; influenza meningitis accelerated by The accidental puncturing of a blood vessel at .the baso of the brain. Dr. W. Gilmour, pathologist at the hospital, said it became evident after the chHdV death that a very advanced stage, of meningitis had been reached because of tho presense of the bacillus of influenza. Such cases never recovered.

“The child’s life could not have been saved,” Dr. Gilmour continued. “The operation performed by Dr. McGill, the resident medical officer, was normal and is carried out frequently. I am convinced that the child could not possibly have recovered, but the operation was the last'resort. It was a sound procedure and was performed with high surgical skill. In my examination I did not find any trace of a puncture.” Dr. G. B. Sweet, honorary physician in charge of tho case, said he did not see the child at all. Dr. McGill telephoned him saying the symptoms suggested meningitis, and he gave Dr. McGill the instructions for the necessary treatment. He approved absolutely the procedure carried out by the resident medical officer, and he could not have done anything more himself. He agreed with Dr. Gilmour that no case of influenza meningitis had been known to recover. A motion that the board, having heard the evidence and while expressing sympathy with, the parents in the death of their child, which was unavoidable, was.of the opinion that the correct, medical - procedure had been adopted in tho case Was carried. “Dr. Gilmcur’s evidence in particular was conclusive that the child had no hope of recovery,” the chairman, Mr W. J. Wallace, said.