DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 96, 2 May 1901, Page 3

DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN ? SERIOUS STATEMENTS AND CONTRADICTIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. At the enquiry into tho circumstances relating to the deatli of John McGuire, who died at Auckland hospital under chloroform, the witnesses examined included llie parents and sisters of deceased and two medical gentlemen—Dr T. Hope Lewis, who held the post mortem examination, and Dr Scott, who was performing an operation on the nosoof deceased when the patient expired. The evidence of Dr Lewis went to show that while certain of the organs wore of abnormal growth, and the heart not in a normal condition, the general health of deceased was such that ho would not ascribe death to these causes,

Certain of tho relatives alleged that on asking for an explanation from Dr Adams, of the permanent stall' (who administered the chloroform), some two or three hours after death, they wero informed that the heart was perfectly sound, and that death was the result of “an unforeseen accident through the use of a wrong instrument.” This statement, they said, was then qualified by the doctor stating that death was due to the use of “an instrument,” the word •• wrong ” boing omitted in tho qualification. Ur Scott, in tho course of his evidence, said there was no reason whatever for tho suggestion that a wrong instrument had been used, or that a correct instrument had been used, or that a correct instrument had boon wrongly used. The inquiry will bo continued on Friday.

Tuesday's Auckland Herald states : 11 At tho meeting of tho Hospital Board, yesterday, Dr. R. N. Adams, of tho hospital stall’, reported that on Saturday morning last, a patient, named John McGuire, while under tho influence of chloroform, died at the institution. An operation was being performed by Dr. Scott, Mio anaesthetic being given by the writer. As far as ho could judge, tho man was a proper subject for administration of chloroform, but boforo being brought quite under tho inlluonco of tho drug his breathing coased. Everything that could possibly be done was done, but after nearly an hour’s exertions, as no sign of lifu was apparent, they ceased their efforts. On the motion of Mr Friend, the Board went iqto committee on tho matter, and after some discussion, in the course of which Dr. Bedford was consulted, the report was received.” The funeral of tho deceased took place on Monday, and was largely -.Ueiulod, A number of beautiful wreaths, which we;e sent by sympathising friends, wore placed oil the coffin. The Kev. Father l’attcrson officiated at the grave, and spoke in feeling terms of the many good qualities of the deceased. Humorous tolograms of condolence were received by Mr McGuire’s parents from different parts of the colony, especially from Reofton, which had been deceased’s home from childhood.