DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2123, 4 July 1907, Page 1

DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

DOCTORS EXONERATED. Press Association. DUNEDIN, last night. Tlin Coroner held tin inquest this afternoon on the body of David Martin, who died under chloroform while being operated upon in a private hospital. Dr. Barnett deposed that_ deceased was a. retired farmer residing at Spreydon (near Christchurch). He was sent down to witness five weeks ngO. for operation for cancer of the upper jaw. This extensive operation, which lasted over two hours, was successful, and the patient stood the anaesthetic (administered by Dr. Williams) very well. He progressed favorably, and another, operation was about to bo undertaken yesterday to remedy the disfigurement caused by the first operation. Dr. Williams again administered the anaesthetic, and precautions wore taken. In three or- four minutes the patient seemed sufficiently nder to allow witness to inject a solution to prevent: hommorage. It was then noticed that the patient was not under sufficiently for the operation to be commenced, and Dr. Williams gave more of the anaesthetic. Suddenly the patient’s face became blanched, the pupils dilated, and the pulse ceased. From that moment, although for an hour and a half every possible effort was made to restore him, no sign of iife returned. Witness' concluded that deceased had died suddenly from syncope as the result of the anaesthetics. Dr. Williams corroborated the evidence of Dr. Barnett, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with ■ this evidence, adding that every precaution had been taken.