DEATH OF PATIENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 9817, 22 February 1936, Page 9

DEATH OF PATIENT.

OOLLAPBE UNDER ANAESTHETIC. VERDICT AT INQUEST. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned by the Coroner, Mr F. W. Platts, at an in- , quest at the Waikato Hospital, into the death of Richard Gilmer, a schoolboy, aged 10 years, son of Alexander James Gilmer, of Frankton, who died under an anaesthetic at the Waikato Hospital yesterday. The father stated that his son had taken ill three weeks previously and had been admitted to the hospital a fortnight ago. During his life the boy had not been subject to sickness. Dr. M. M. Hockin, medical superintendent of the hospital, stated that T the boy had been admitted on Februruary 7 with bronchial pneumonia. His condition ran a normal course during the tlrst six or seven days, but then he developed a rising temperature and showed signs of having lluid in the chest. It was found necessary to perform an operation and in view of the boy's fairly serious illness instructions were given to use a special anaesthetic. He had received a message lo go to the operating theatre yesterday morning and found Ur. Wilson and Dr. Price applying artillcial respiration. This was persisted in and oxygen was given and also a stimulant. In explaining the nature of the anaesthetic used Dr. Hockin staled lhat there had been 2000 cases at the hospital without any trouble whatever. In his opinion the cause of death was the anaesthetic which had to be administered to the boy, who was weakened by illness. The operation had been skillfully performed and the anaesthetic carefully administered. Dr. Allan Lambert Wilson, a member of the medical staff, stated that he had performed the operation on the boy the previous morning. The operation was almost complete when the boy suddenly collapsed. Artificial respiration was applied and oxygen given, but the boy made no response. In his opinion death was due to heart failure brought on by the administration of the necessary anaesthetic. Administration of Anaesthetic. Dr. Donald Finley Price, another member of the medical slafl, told the coroner that he had administered the special anaesthetic to the boy. This was sufficient to induce a light but satisfactory state of anaesthesia. The patient's condition was satisfactory until the * *l stages of the operation, when both Dr. Wilson and himself noticed that the boy hud suddenly collapsed. Ur. Price also detailed tlu) restorative methods adopted. “The verdict will be that this is She of those unfortunate cases of death that take place under an anaesthetic at long intervals despite the cars taken,” stated the Coroner in giv.n* his verdict. " Death was the result, of heart failure under an anaesthefic that had been given with all due care and skill.”