THE ADMINISTRATWH OF ULOROFORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11010, 14 March 1899, Page 3

THE ADMINISTRATWH OF ULOROFORM.

POPULAR IGNORANCE. A CASE OF MEDICAL HEROISM. THE death of a girl of 15. named Esther Emery, which occurred at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, recently, was investigated by Mr. Candler, the city coroner, The fathei of the girl. Mr. Charles J. Emery, of South Brighton, said that his daughter had not been well for some weeks, but the illness was not regarded as serious until a few days before her death, when a local medical man saw her. and, alter treatment, ordered her removal to the Alfred Hospital. Mr. Ikrricks, F.R.C.8., of tho honorary staff of the hospital, stated that as no chlorolorniist was present he consented to administer the drug, as the case was one for immediate operation. The patient consented to the operation, and he administered chloroform by means of a. flannel inhaler, allowing the fumes to mix with the air in proper proportion. Only about two or three drachms were administered, and, though all went well at first, the girl's pulse began to grow weak, and witness stopped the chloroform. A few minutes later she commenced to suffocate, and the windpipe was opened. Mr. llearne. M.H., then sucked away the obstructing offensive matter, and air was pumped into the orifice, while other means were taken to restore animation, but without avail. To the Coroner: The patient took the drug well and without struggling, and it w.-.s not until the later part of the operation that she commenced to he sick. She wtti »■■ :he table about 35 minutes altogether. Witness agreed with Mr. O'Hara, F.R.C.S.. that the operation was absolutely necessary. Mr. Hrett, M.R.C.S.. who made the postmortem examination of the body, said thai death had resulted from suffocation. The operation was a necessary one. and could not have been performed without chloroform, and there was nothing to indicate either that the drag was inferior or that any error had been made in the method of administration. The organs showed no siirns that would have indicated that the tit of chloroform might, be dangerous. Mr. Brett added that the action of Mr. Hearne in sticking the poisonous matter from the patient's throat was a most heroic thing. Mr. O'Hara. J0.C.8.. said he would like to make a few remarks. The girl was suffering from acute inte»tiivl strangulation. ••it ihe nnlv possible hope of saving her was by means of an operation. The Coroner: We have had that, already from other witnesses. Mr. O'Hara: The fit which enticed her death occurred after she was out of the influence of chloroform. The Coroner: Wo have had that. Come to the point. Mr. O'Hara: Would an inquest have been necessarv had ske died before chloroform was administered The Coroner: No; but in case* where any arerstbetie had been administered there must be an innuiry. Mr. O'Hara: Whether death is due to chloroform or not? The Coroner: A po=t-morlem ha« to ho made before that can he ascertained. Where chloroform has been used. I consider, as English coroners do, that it is mv duly to hold an inquiry. Whether it is directly concerned in the tlei'.th is a matter for the evidence to prove. In this case everything that has been done reflects credit on the institution and its surgeons. Mr. O'Hara: But it brings discredit on the use of chloroform. Ignorant, people might be led to believe that this pajient died from it' administration. The Coroner: We are not considering ignorant people. The Coroner said to the jury that in this eese the use of chloroform wan not only justillable hut necessary. Mr. Hearne had acted very heroically, disregarding all consequence? to himself, find the whole case showed that prompt and excellent treatment had been g'ven. The jury found a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, adding that the sickness was not a. consequence of the administration of chloroform, which was properly carried out, The foreman also remarked that the jury desired tc place on record the splendid conduct of Mr. Hearne, The Coroner said he could not take tho rider, though he was glad Mr. Hearne s action had beon mentioned. However, if nraise began to be awarded, it would have to he given on all occasions, for its absence would otherwise imply that somebody was to blame.