SAD FATALITY

Southland Times, Issue 20692, 14 January 1929, Page 8

SAD FATALITY

LADY DOCTOR’S DEATH MEDICAL OFFICER AT GORE ACCIDENT IN DISPENSARY " A particularly sad accident resulting in the death of Dr A. Mathiesou, resident lady medical officer of the Gore Public Hospital, occurred on Saturday morning at 11-15. Dr Mathieson was working with carbolic acid when by some means the bottle was smashed. The acid splashed over her face and body and immediately began its deadly work. The doctor also suffered severely from shock and in a short while became unconscious. Dr Lillie was immediately called in and resuscitation efforts were continued for three hours, but without avail. Dr Mathieson slowly sank and death occurred a few minutes before 2 p.m. The late Dr Mathieson came to the Gore Hospital from Dunedin some four or five months ago *and proved herself to be a very efficient officer. She was also very popular with the members of the nursing staff and with the patients who from time to time came under her care. The Inquest.

The inquest was held at the hospital on Saturday evening before the District Coroner, Mr A. Martin, J.P. Dr J. E. Rogers, medical superintendent,’ stated that the late Dr. A. U. Mathieson was born at Mornington, Dunedin, and was 28 years of age on February 7, 1928. She was house surgeon at the Gore Public Hospital. The in which the accident occurred was quite suitable for the requirements of the hospital. To his knowledge there had been no other accidents in the dispensary. The late Dr. Mathieson was competent and qualified to dispense drugs and was very methodical in her work in the dispensary. In his opinion the occurrence was accidental.

Catherine McCrostie, matron, stated that at about 11 a.m. she was speaking to Dr. Mathieson in the operating theatre. The doctor then left her to go to the dispensary to do some dispensing. About two minutes later she heard cries of “Matron, I’ve spilled the carbolic on myself; bring me an alkali quickly.” Dr Mathieson had left the dispensary and had gone to the nurses’ room in the operating block. Witness was then in the sterilizing room and hurried out. As she passed the nurses’ room she saw the doctor taking off her shoes and stockings. Witness went to the dispensary and obtained the alkali, called Sister. Lindsay, sent a nurse to ring up Dr Lillie, and then went back to Dr. Mathieson.' She found that by this time the doctor had practically undressed herself and was lying in a collapsed state upon the floor. Witness wrapped blankets round her, put her on the trolley and wheeled her down to one of the special wards. There she applied warmth, gave her some strychnine, and applied the alkali to the- burned parts of the body. Dr Lillie then arrived and took charge of the patient. Dr.-Mathieson had been house surgeon since September 13 and had been in excellent health. The bottle in which the carbolic was contained could h°ld a little less than a gallon, but she could not say how much liquid it contained at the time of the accident. When she went to the dispensing room for the alkali she saw the broken bottle on the floor, which was practically covered with the carbolic. The bottle was kept underneath a bench and had a wire handle attached to it.

Dr. C. O. Lillie said that in answer to a telephone message he arrived at the hospital at about 11.15 a.m. He found Dr Mathieson lying on a bed in one of the special wards. Matron McCrostie and Sister Lindsay were using restorative measures. Dr Mathieson was deeply unconscious, her face a dusky blue, her pupils widely dilated and her respirations feeble and slow. He used all the antidotes and stimulant measures available. He also proceeded to carry on artificial respiration. In a short time Dr. Watters arrived and assisted him. Dr Mathieson never rallied although they carried on artificial resperation until 2.30 p.m. when the body was becoming cold. The skin had been extensively burned with carbolic acid lotion. The injury to such an extensive area had caused severe shock which was increased by absorption of the acid. The tongue and inside of the mouth were not affected, showing that none of the lotion had been swallowed. In his opinion the cause of death was severe shock, due to the extensive skin injury. The occurrence was without doubt accidental. Dr. J. M. Watters corroborated the evidence given by Dr. Lillie. He arrived at the hospital at 11.30 a.m. and assisted Dr Lillie to apply restorative measures Until 2.30 p.m. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with Dr Lillie’s evidence.