DOCTORS DIFFER.

Evening Star, Issue 3352, 17 November 1873, Page 3

DOCTORS DIFFER.

To the Editor. Sir, —l noticed in your report of Saturday last of an inquest held at the Hospital on the body of Jane Duke, who died whilst under the influence of chloroform, that m the evidence, of Drs Alexander and Yates there arose a material difference of opinion in this respect. Dr Alexander stated in evidence before the coroner and jury that “ho would give chloroform to any person without examining the heart first.” Dr Yates stated to the contrary, viz., that “he considered it important and necessary to examine a patient’s heart before giving chloroform,” [ trust, for the good and safety of the public, that such an important point will be answered by the medical men of the greatest standing and experience ; and should it turn out as fact that Dr Yates is right in his opinion (which I think be is), that in future neither Dr Alexander nor any other medical man will attempt to give chloroform without examining the state of the heart first, and perfectly understanding it,—l am, &c. F A J.P. Dunedin, Nov, 17.