A SUDDEN DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 67, 14 November 1914, Page 7

A SUDDEN DEATH.

WHILE UNDER ANAESTHETICS. An inquest was hold yesterday morning before Mr G. W. K. Kenrick, S.M., the Coroner, touching the death ot Mrs Clara Smith. Dr. Paget gave evidence that deceased came to his hospital on November sth, suffering from an internal complaint. She had boon suffering with the complaint for about twelve months. An operation was carried out on November 10th, Dr. Steven assisting and Dr. Guist acted as anaesthetist. The operation was a very severe one, but was quite successful. Considering the severity of the operation the patient did very well up to the following evening, when symptoms of intestinal obstruction developed, due to what was called post-operative paralysis of the bowels. Medical treatment partially relieved her condition, which was improved on Thursday afternoon, but early this (Friday) morning her condition became rapidly worse, and at 6.30 a.m. witness decided to again open the abdomen, this being the only chance of giving relief. The operation was carried out as soon as possible, the patient’s condition being very bad. Dr. Steven acted as anaesthetist. After the anaesthetic had been administered the operation was proceeded with, but the patient died quite suddenly from heart failure caused by shock and through severe anaemia caused by her complaint. The first operation was absolutely necessary, as the patient had previously been in serious danger as a result of hemorrhages. The second operation was also necessary, to give any chance at all of recovery. It was rendered necessary by conditions arising after the first operation. If it had not been carried out the patient would certainly have died in a few 'hours. Every other method- of relief had been exhausted. The giving of the anaesthetic had no influence on the death—the death occurred under anaesthesia, but not from anaesthesia.

Dr. Steven gave evidence largely similar to that of Dr. Paget. He considered the first operation necessary—lie had himself recommended her to undergo it. The second operation was the patient’s only hope of recovery. The first operation was complete in itself, and tho second had to do with entirely separate conditions. Before the second operation witness saw that the patient’s condition was very bad, but he recognised, that the operation was the only possible chance of relief. The S.M. asked certain questions of Dr. Steven as to whether he could say if the operation was carried out with all due care.

Dr. Steven replied that he did not see the 'operation being carried out, as his attention was concentrated on giving the anaesthetic. Dr. Paget explained that oven in the smallest operation it would be impossible for the operator to supervise the anaesthetist or for the anaesthetist to supervise the operator—each had to coniine his whole attention on his own department. It was necessary for the anaesthetist to very carefully watch the face of the patient.

Valentine Smith, farmer, Midhirst, husband of deceased, also gavo formal evidence. He said he was quite satisfied that everything possible had been done for his wife. A verdict was returned in accordance witli the medical evidence.