THREE DOCTORS ERR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

THREE DOCTORS ERR.

DEATH UNDER ANAESTHETIC. AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT. Jt was stated at an inquest at Nottingham lately on Dr. Lionel Edward Louis Coghlan, aged 42, of Nottingham, who died under an operation in tho general hospital, that he, his brother, who also is a doctor, and another medical man had made a wrong diagnosis. Dr. Coghlan had suffered from severe abdominal pains, and tho three concluded that there was intestinal obstruction. Dr. Charles Wilfred.Coghlan said that during the operation tho doctors discovered that lus brother was suffering from angina pectoris, a nervous disorder often associated with heart disease. When they found out their mistake they massaged the heart, but his brother quickly died. Dr. 'J'. W. Smart, who administered tho anaesthetic, said the breathing slowed down just as the operation was finishing. Dr. Hunt, who assisted at the operation, said the doctors found thero was no intestina l obstruction and that they had committed an error of judgment. "J'hoy would not havo operated had the diagnosis disclosed angina pectoris, lie did not think Dr. Coghlan would have lived long ia- any case. The verdict wai that death was due to angina pectoris while deceased was under an anaesthetic for a surgical oporation.