DEATH IN HOSPITAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 85, 27 April 1937, Page 6

DEATH IN HOSPITAL

Heart Fails Under Anaesthetic EVIDENCE AT INQUEST Assuranees that the operation for toxic goitre was absolutely necessary and tbat the anaesthetic was properlv administered were given to the Napier coToner, Mr J. Miller, S.M., at an adjourned inquest this morning into the death of Mrs Francis Louise Adams, of 405 Lyndon road, Hastings. Sbe died at Napier Public Hospital cn April 19 while undergoing an operation. "For the purposes 0f this inquest it is necessary that these two points be established," said Mr Miller, as he gave his verdict that "death was dno to acute hcart failure duiing anaesthcsia and during a necessary operation i'or severe gcitre, the anaesthetic having beon properly administered and the heart being in a toxic condition due to goitre " Dr Thomas Gilray, of Napier, told the coroner that the deceased consulted him abcut her heart. She had severe. goitre trouble and the doctor advised her to go into hospitaJ for observation and treatment.. "She was in hospital for scme weeks and was operated on on April 19. During the operation her heart suddenly failed, and although restorative raeasures were immediately applied, the heart never acted again," he said. "I consider that she died of acute heart failure during the performance of a necessary operation for goitre trouble " While deceased was being prepared for the operation, her heart was found to be in the usual unhealthv condition which js consequent upon goitretrouble. Medical evidence was also given by Dr William Douglas FitzGerald, of Napier, who said that he administered the anaesthetic to Mrs Adams and that Dr Gilray performed the actual operation. Before administering the anaesthetic witness examined deceased's heart and came to the ccn--clusion that she was suffering from toxic goitre and that her heart svas in the condition always found in such cases. "Her only chance of continued existence was for the goitre to be removed," he added. ''She was given warm ether, probably the safest that can be given in these cases. Her heart suddenly ceased beating during the progress of the operation and resisted all efforts to cause it to recommence. We tried every means within our power, but of no avail." Dr FitzGerald agreed with Dr Gilray as to the cause of death.