USE OF SALVARSAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 8

USE OF SALVARSAN.

A PATIENT'S DEATH. INQUIRY BY CORONER. COMMENTS BY DOCTORS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Christchcrch, Friday. There were some interesting features in the inquest held at the courthouse to-day by Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., district coroner, into the circumstances connected with the death on Tuesday last of H-eorge Edward Collins, a well-known resident, after being treated with the drug known as salvarsan, or 606, the snlvarsan treatment. Dr. Orchard stated that the deceased was Buffering from a constitutional disease which had proved intractable to ordinary methods of treatment. It was arranged some time ago that he should have an mjection of salvarsan. The preparation of the solution of the drug and its injection was carried out in the custoniarv way. The process occupied from 15 to 20 minutes. During most of that time the patient experienced no change in sensations, but when most of the preparation had .x-en injected he began to cough violently, and complained of being short of breath." Fur this reason a small portion of the drug was not injected. It appeared to witness that, there was some interference with the circulation of the blood to the lungs. Witness injected hypodermically a substance with the object of improving the circulation. The patient then seemed to improve and to be fairly comfortable. Witness then left the house with a promise that he would return soon. About an hour later he received an urgent message to return, but the patient died just as witness reached the house. In reply to the coroner, Dr. Orchard said he had used the remedy twice before without ill effects. He explained to the deceased all the risks that were attached to the use of the remedy. He did not regard the salvarsan treatment as specially risky. The mortality rate was about one per 1000. Deceased was a man of strong constitution.

Dr. Sandstein stated that death was due to imfraction of blood clots in the pulmonary arteries. In his opinion there wm a tendency to the formation of clots probably due to a specific condition which could not well have been foreseen by Dr. Orchard. Mr. Bishop: What is your opinion of the effects of the use of " 606? " Dr. Sandstein: They are unparalleled. Naturally, patients would run the risk for the benefits expected to result. Mr. Bishop: To what extent do vou advise them of the risk attendant on "its use. Dr. Sandstein: I have told them that there is a certain amount of risk in all cases. This was the first fatality of which ho had direct knowledge. He' had seen ftnmenso benefits to patients. No other treatment was so effective. The dopes had acted like a charm. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from pulmonary embolism.