YESTERDAY'S FATALITY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11251, 16 April 1908, Page 6

YESTERDAY'S FATALITY.

At the inquest this afternoon concerning the death of Mrs J. B. Hollier, Dr James Clive Collins stated that he woe called to Mr Crawford's room yesterday afternoon at about 3 o'clock. He met Mrs Lucas and Mrs Hollier there, the latter asking if he would give her a little cholorofotfm. Mrs Lucas assisted deceased to unloose her things and get in the chair. He then examined Mrs Hollier's heart, and told her, as she appeared very nervous, that she had no eiiuse for alaim, and that as far as he could judge she was a perfectly safe subject for chloroform. He then proceeded to administer the anaesthetic, but noticed that she fought against the inhalation of it. She held her breath, and did not breathe regularly. He spoke tc her, asking her/ to take deep breaths. She answered, "Yes, doctor." Immediately he noticed her color changed. He stopped the anaesthetic at once, and looking at her pupils, found them widely dilated. He knew then he was dealing with a - case of an arrest of the heart's action. He immediately placed her on the floor, and worked at her until he could work no longer, and sent for Dr Pottinger. Deceased was not under chloroform longer than 35 seconds. She was not under the direct influence of the drug when she died. Dr Pottinger and himself worked alternatively with her, when it became evident she was undoubtedly past hope. His Worship: What was the cause of death? Dr Collins : My opinion of the cause of death was inhibition of the heart's action, accelerated by her nervous condition rather than the anaesthetic. The doctor quoted a. case from a standard authority, recorded by Kappeler (Sir Jas. Simpson's works), where a person was to be operated upon, arid it was not deemed advisable to administer chloroform, but a pretence was made to do so. No chloroform was used, but after four inspirations of air, respiration and circulation suddenly ceased, and the patient wag dead. The case in question was an almost similar one. Dr Pottinger concurred with the evidence of Dr Collins, and agreed entirely as to the probable cause of death. Every possible means to restore animation weie used. His Worship, in addressing the jury, raid that it appeared to be one of those cises where death did occur despite all reasonable and proper precautions hnvipg

— —^ — - been taken. Dr Collins appeared to have made a very careful examination before administering the chloroform, and considered her a fit subject for the anaesthetic. The case was, in his opinion, x very simple one for them, and they would have no difficulty in arriving at their decision. He would like them to •say whether, in their opinion reasonable and proper precautions were taken, and also whether they thought, anyone was olamable. The jury returned the following verdict : "That the deceased, Catherine Hollier, met . with her death in accordance with the evidence of the medical gentlemen present at the time, and that no blame attaches to anyone in the circumstances, and that every means were used to restore- life, but without avail."