INJURED BY A BULL

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1930, Page 16

INJURED BY A BULL

DEATH UNDER ANAESTHETIC. CASE OF HEART DISEASE. An inquest was opened in Dunedin last Wednesday by Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, sitting as coroner, concerning the death of Alexander Ross, who died in the Dunedin Hospital while under an anaesthetic. James Robert Henderson stated that deceased, who was about 50 years of age, was his brother-in-law. Deceased was employed on a farm at Ettrick, near Roxburgh, and was a single man. On May 25 last witness received information of the deceased’s admission to the Dunedin hospital and went to see him. The deceased said that he was suffering from injuries to his chest and shoulder,' and that a bull had knocked him down. He did not appear to be very bad.

David Picken, farm labourer, employed on Mr. F. Duncan’s farm at Ettrick, stated that he heard the deceased shout out. He was at the entrance to tire cow yard. Witness went to his assistance and found him lying on the ground about three yards from the gate. There was a bull and also some other cattle near him. He said that the bull had rushed him and knocked him over. Witness assisted him into the house. After remaining on the farm for two or three days he went to Dunedin and was admitted to the hospital. The bull had not injured anybody to witness’ knowledge for three years. The deceased was seen by a doctor two days after the occur; rence. He was in bed most of the time, but could get up and Walk about. Dr. Strang, resident surgical officer at the Dunedin hospital, said that the deceased was admitted on May 21. The shoulder was operated upon about a week after admission. The progress of the case was fairly satisfactory, but the deceased subsequently required an anaesthetic for putting the shoulder into plaster. On July 28 an anaesthetic was ' liven, the shoulder was manipulated; and'

plaster of Paris applied under Mr White’s direction. Dr. R. Wilson administered an ordinary anaesthetic. When the operation was nearly completed the deceased ceased to breathe. The usual restorative measures were applied, but without result. Witness would attribute death io acute heart failure, and considered it was due to the anaesthetic. Restorative measures were kept up for 20 minutes by witness and Dr. Wilson. Dr. Wilson, house surgeon, said that prior to administering the anaesthetic he examined deceased’s heart, and chest, and the result was, such that there was no reason why the deceased should not have an anaesthetic. He considered that death was due to acute heart failure, caused by the anaesthetic. The shook of the operation would be a contributing cause. The coroner adjourned his verdict for a post mortem examination by the pathologist. When the inquest was resumed on Thursday Dr. D’Ath, who had conducted the post mortem examination, stated that the heart was flabby, there was excessive fat in the muscles, and excessive fat around it. All the cavities of the heart were dilated, and the muscle on the right* side of the heart w r as very largely replaced by fat. Death, in witness’ opinion, was due to acute heart failure resulting from fatty degeneration of the heart muscles. An ordinary clinical examination would not disclose the condition of the heart. In delivering his verdict, the coroner said that proper steps had been taken with regard to the examination of the deceased prior to the administration of the anaesthetic, and also with regard to its actual administration. The verdict would be that death was caused by acute heart failure resulting from fatty degeneration of the heart while under an anaesthetic of chloroform and ether, administered for a necessary operation for injuries to the shoulder resulting from being- knocked -down by a bull.