ANAESTHETIC TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1930, Page 4

ANAESTHETIC TRAGEDY

“PURE MISADVENTURE.” \

DOCTOR’S OPINION,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12. At the Salmond inquest, Dr Gibbon said that he could have hint- 4 self filled the syringe, both both his hands were occupied with the operation, and it was the ordinary procedure' for a surgeon to leave that duty to the nurse, who was always competent to do it. Witness described the operation, saying that, soon after it started, the patient got restless, and while# he was trying to sooth her, he found her mouth twitching. He asked the nurse what she had put in the syringe. She replied: “Aderation and cocaine.” He then threw the instruments aside, and told Dr Orawshaw that they must must adopt, artificial respiration. The usual remedies for cocaine poisoning were followed. In such cases the. pat- x lent usually recovered iti two hours/ They were with Miss Salmond for three hours and a-hnlf, The error that was l made, by the nurse was not due to> lack of care on }ier part. .' She was a good nurse. He did not blame the nurse at all. It was pure misadventure. Evidence was given by Drs Craw* shaw, Sandston and Guthrie. All of them agreed that Dr Mac Gibbon’s procedure in allowing the nurse to fill the syringe, and in refraining from naming the drug was the usual and correct One. After the evidence and the. counsel’s addresses, the Coroner thanked counsel for their able co-operation in a public service. The points raised w«re> of a delicate nature, and required detached thought. He would, perhaps, express an opinion at a later date.