BOY’S DEATH AFTER OPERATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 4 February 1928, Page 7

BOY’S DEATH AFTER OPERATION

CORONER QUESTIONS DOCTORS . (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, 3rd Feb. An inquest was held to-day regarding the death of Bruce KelJar, aged 10, after an operation in the hospital for a cut on the face following a motor accident. Dr. Crooke, who conducted the postmortem examination, said that death was due to asphyxia, arising from inspiration of vomited foodstuffs. The Coroner: “Do you know if any precautions are taken before giving an anaesthetic to see that the patient has had no recent food?” “Except in a case of extreme urgency it is usual to allow from three and a half to four hours,” was the reply. The Coroner: “Even with every care and skill a patient might die in these circumstances?” —“That’ is so.” “If the patient has had food recently before an anaesthetic,” said the doctor, “there is always a very great risk of choking.” Dr. H. R. Colton, who administered ether to the boy, said that the parents had told him that the hoy had had nothing to eat since 5 p.m. « The Coroner: “If another case of this kind occurred, would you, have the stomach washed out?” Witness*; “That is a point.” 'The Coroner said that he did not understand why extra precautions were not taken, such as the. cleaning-nut of the stomach, in these cases. Witness answered that it was a matter of routine. Dr. Church, assistant medical officer at Christchurch Hospital, was next called. The Coronej-: “Yon agree with Drs. Crooke and Colton that shock would retard the digestive process?” —.“Yes, I think it probably did.” "H is part, of your medical knowledge to know that ” —“Yes.” “What allowances then, did y™ l make in this ease?” —“None, except that, sufficient lime had elapsed, in my opinion, In enable the anaesthetic to be given with safety.”

NURSE CENSURED The Coroner returned a verdict that the cause of death was asphyxia due to inspiration of vomited frio.l when under an anaesthetic. “Under the circumstances set out in the evidence,” said the Coroner, “I think tin- contents of the deceased’s stomach should have been removed liefore tlio anaesthetic was administered.” "In my opinion,” lie added. “(lie nurse immediately in charge of deceased did not exercise the skill and promptitude in calling the house surgeon, which the circumstances demanded ”