DEATH IN HOSPITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10450, 2 May 1912, Page 1

DEATH IN HOSPITAL.

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. INQUIRY TO BE HELD. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 1. Some rather startling statements were contained in a letter from the Auckland Tramways Sick and Accident Fund Society, which came before the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, concerning the recent death of one of the Society's members in the Auckland Hospital. The letter stated that the patient went into 'the institution on March 14 suffering, from appendicitis. •He was operated on the same day, the operation being in every way successful. For six days the patient made excellent progress, then he suddenly developed tetanus (lockjaw) and after three" days'- suffering died on March 20. An independent medical opinion had been- obtained which indicated that lockjaw did not follow upon an operation for appendicitis as a natural complication. The question, therefore, arose as to how this patient could have possibly, become infected with tetanus. An explanation had been sought by the deceased's friends from the residential medical officers at the institution and the only suggestion they had to offer was that a scratch had been discovered on one of the deceased's toes, which might have been the source of infection prior to the patient having entered the hospital. This explanation was deemed to bo impossible of acceptance and outside medical opinion was sought. The only theory advanced upon this occasion was that catgut used in sewing up the appendicitis wound might have been the source of infection. This suggestion also was regarded as being too moot to be accepted as satisfactory. The point the Society desired to bring before the Board was that the patient wont into the Hospital to undergo an operation for appendicitis 'and according to the member of the honorary medical staff who performed. this operation was in every way a success. The Society had been assured on good authority that when the patient was in the Hospital he was placed in the same ward with a tetanus parent and so probably became infeoted. Under such circumstances as these the committee felt justified in asking for an explanation. < Mr J. S. Dickson said that the Society's letter contained some grave statements, which would require to be very thoroughly sifted. In his opinion it was desirable that' a commission should be set-*up to inquire into the whole of the circumstances.

Mr M'Kay stated that when the Society's letter reached him,he considered the matter to be one of such great importance that he at once had a copy sent to Br Maguire, senior medical officer. He believed that an inquiry would be welcomed by the medical staff. Dr Tracey Ingles, ohairman of the honorary medical staff, who was present at the meeting, said that, he would be glad of a chance to explain one or two points* in connection with the matter. The Society wa<s wrong in stating that tetanus had never been known t-o follow an appendicitis operation. There were many cases, known to science where tetanus had been recorded and yet no wound of any kind had been discovered. The catgut used in this operation was examined and proved to be sterile, but tetanus bacilli were found on the appendix stump. The external wound healed first, showing that there had been no infection from without. The doctor admitted that there was a tetanus patient in the institution' at the same time as this. particular patient, but not in the same ward.

Mr Dixon then moved that a special committee should be appointed to go into the matter and that the inquiry should be open to the Press and that the Society should be allowed to have one of its doctors in attendance, both sides, if they were so desirous, to be represented by solicitors. The chairman said he would etrongly advise keeping solicitors out of the case. The motion was carried.