SURGICAL SCIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1933, Page 8

SURGICAL SCIENCE

THE MODERN ANAESTHETIC.

GREAT BENEFIT TO HUMANITY

“This drug is one of the most beneficial aids to the : relief of human suffering we know of,” said the coroner at Southwark, London, air A. Douglas Cowburn, on July 10,. referring at an inquest to a comparatively new anaesthetic called avertin V

At a previous hearing it had been stated that avertin had been administered to Mrs Alice Maud Cheese, aged 08, who collapsed and died after an operation for the removal of her tonsils at Guy’s Hospital

Mr Cowburn, in adjuorning the inquiry, said he though that Sir Francis Shipway, senior anaesthetist at Guy’s Hospital, who introduced the drug.into this country, should give evidence.

Sir Francis, who was present when the. inquest was resumed, said he had made every investigation •at the hospital. He was satisfied that there was nothing wrong with the avertin when it was made up in the dispensary: When the drug was found to-be decomposed it was not used. Mr Cowburn: What is your view as to the suggestion that this death was due to avertin poisoning? Sr Fiancisr I am not -a. pathologist, so it is difficult for me to speak -with any scientific accuracy on this point. I do not think one. is justified on the findings to say that death was due.to avertin. There was no sign of poisoning* in the livfer. I dan “only 1 conclude thjit death was due to congestion and oedema qf the lnfigs. '

>igir Francis added that since the introduction of avertin in 1920 it had haemused all over the world, and was being used iricreasihgly; The drug! was Very* l carefully'exfiniined 11 by highly experienced anaethetists and Surgeons, land if was recommended for safe adoption byitlie Medical Research Council. “Personally,” said' 1 Sir Francis, “I think ' avertin represents the •greatest adva'nd©''since the introduction of anaesthetics. I think it has definitely loitered mortality.” ” ' '' ' Mr Cowbiirh: I have been informed by very' experienced physicians of the great •’value” of this 'drug, in 'that it sends A patieiit 1 to sleep, so that he is spared Any' fright of the administration of a general anaesthetic .jind the operating theatre. Is not, that of great ; value to the nervous ! system. of a .patient ? Sir Francis: Yes, particularly voung children. One can operate on children without their knowing'that they are going to he operated on .

Mr Cowburn 1 recorded the verdict that Mrs Cheese died from the combined effects of the operative shock and ether anaesthetic, combined with' the administration of avertin—accidental death. He said that he did not wish it to go forth that death wfts due to rvvertin poisoning—it was due to the combination of' circutfistAhces.