COLLAPSE OF PATIENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 10

COLLAPSE OF PATIENT.

EARLY MORNING OPERATION. CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL CASE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. 3 CHBISTCirtJRCH, Friday. The inquest into the death of Richard Edward Joughin, aged 41, who collapsed under an anaesthetic iri the Christchurch Hospital early on Thursday mottling, was continued to-day. Joaghin was cycling home late on Wednesday evening, when the forks of his bicycle broke and he fell on his face on the roadway. He walked a quarter of a mile to his home but wis taWfen to the hospital bleeding profusely ' from a broken nose. An operation was considered necessary to stop the bleeding- '

James Davidson, assistant medical officer, said he saw -Joughlin at 12.15 a.ts. His injuries were a badly-broken nose, with a large lacerated wound. The patient was in good condition to stand immediate surgical intervention. The anaesthetic was begun at 12.40 a.m. The patient took it well at firsi and the operation had proceeded for 20 minutes when respiration ceased. Thti operation was stopped, artificial respiration was commenced and stimulants administered. The heart failed 10 to 15 minutes later. There was no sign of intracranial injury, and the patient showed no signs of shock, sucb. as would make the operation dangerous. The operation was needed urgently. The patient was bleeding profusely and the bleeding could not be stopped without the operation. The operation was limited to opening the wound for the purpose of tying the blood-vessels and stitching the wound.

Gervan McMillan, medical student, who administered the anaesthetic, said he was qualified for this duty. There was no apparent reason for stoppage of respiration in this case. As the post mortem was not cpmpleted the inquest was further adjourned.