AFTER AN OPERATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19270, 6 September 1924, Page 17

AFTER AN OPERATION

DEATH IN PRIVATE HOSPITAL. The inquest: was concluded yesterday concerning the death ot Arthur Thomas Collins, who collapsed in a private hospital on Monday morning last following an operation for toxio goitre. Deceased, who was 36 years of age, was a bootmaker by trade, residing with his wife and family in Maitland street. Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sat as coroner, and Sergeant Turner represented the police. _ ■ Dr Gerald Patrick Fitzgerald said ho was a duly qualified medical practitioner. He had attended the deceased for about 12 months for toxic goitre before his removal to a private hospital on August 15. Previous to his admission his condition had become worse, so ho was treated lor 15 days in bed in the hospital. Witness attended him daily there, and at the end of the 15 days his condition had so much improved that it was possible to perform the necessary operation. The condition of the patient’s heart was the reason of the delay in performing the operation. The patient was examined in consultation with witness's father (Dr James Fitzgerald), and bnlh were, of the opinion that an operation could be performed without any undue risk. The ope.ration took place at the private hospital at, 10 a.m. on September 1. Or (Veil do l<autour administered the anaesthetic, which was open ether. Dr Janies Fitzgerald assisted at the operation. The matron of the hospital and a sister were present. The operation was performed and finished liy 11.20 a.m. The patient's condition then seemed good, but as the dressings were being applied be collapsed. N'o aruestohotio had been given for 10 minutes prior to the collapse. Artificial respiration and cardiac massage, intravenous salins. and slirmilants wore administered. This treatment was continued for half an hour, but was of no avail. The heart was still beating faintly for 20 minutes after the patient’s collapse. In witness’s opinion the cause of death was heart failure due to shock following an operation, and anaesthesia. The remedies adopted were the usual remedies used in such cases, and nothing further could have been done for deceased. The Coroner said that death was due to heart failure, the result of shock following an operation, and anaesthesia.