ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13649, 14 February 1913, Page 4

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

DEATH UNDER AN ANAESTHETIC.

[Unites Pees* Association.]

Dunedin, Feb. 13. An inquest was held this afternoon on the body of Elizabeth Young, aged 65 years, wife of Anthony Young, of Fairfax. Deceased died at the hospital early this morning while under chloroform. .

The medical evidence showed .that, the deceased had been suffering from cancer, and the only chance of recovery, was to undergo an operation. Her general condition wag not at all satisfactory, and it was 'recognised that there was a grave risk both in regard to administering an anaesthetic, and* in the operation itself. The operation had to be performed in two stages. She cam© through the first etage very well, and but littlo more remained to be done. At the second operation the patient suddenly collapsed, and in spite of, all, efforts she could not bo resuscicated. The second operation was not soriouß, and the1 hemorrhage practically nil. The patient died from respiratory failure, due to the anaesthetic. About three weeks elapsed betwen the operations.

The Coroner found that death wae dtue to ..heart failure after an anaesthetic rendered necessary by an important operation.