DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3744, 29 January 1907, Page 4

DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM.

At the inquest touching the death of Mrs Shumoiuls, who died at Napier on Friday under chloroform while having some teeth extracted, Dr Moore deposed that before he administered chloroform to the deceased, she said she had never had a serious illness in her life, and he made the usual examination without detecting anything wrong. The heart seemed sound, and the chloroform was stopped before the dentist commenced to operate. After about tour or five I teeth bad been extracted, she ’ showed signs of ccmir.g to, and witness remarked to the dentist that he thought she would have to have another administration. Hardly had he said so, when, without yvarning, she stopped breathing, and he found that no pulse could be felt. He immediately drew forward the tongue and started artificial respiration. For a minute or two he thought she was going to recover, and, seeing that the improvement was not maintained, sent for Dr Henley, who came within three or four minutes, and they continued their efforts for over an hour and a half, but without result. Everything was at hand in case of accident, and all recognised means were tried in the case. Had been 21 years iu Napier, and bad given anaesthetics over two thousand times without a fatality. In his opinion death was caused by syncope. Only one application of chloroform was made. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was due to syncope while the deceased was under the influence of chloroform, and added the following rider:—“We are perfectly satisfied that everything possible was done for the deceased by Dr Moore, Dr Henley and Mr Harris.’’