AFTER AN OPERATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12623, 7 December 1926, Page 9

AFTER AN OPERATION

ACCIDENTALLY BURNED CHILD’S DEATH AT HOSPITAL EVIDENCE AT INQUEST An inquest to inquire into the circumstances surround ;• the death of Jean Ethel Greaves, a ;;irl aged 10 years, was held before the Coroner, Mr E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday. Dr. P. E Lynch, pathologist at the Wellington Hospital, who had conducted a post-mcrtem examination of the deceased. stated that, in his opinion, death was due to peritonitis, following internal ulcerations. . Walter John Greaves father of deceased, said that his daughter had complained of pains in the stomach, and a doctor was summoned The girl was found to be suffering from appendicitis. She was sent to the hospital, where she remained until her death on November. 30th. Dr. E. L. Button, a house surgeon at the hospital, stated the deceased was operated on for appendicitis, and following he* return to the ward the usual saline injection treatment was given. AN IMMEDIATE OPERATION During the night the night sister reported that the child’s body had been burned The necessary treatment was given, and next morning she seemed better. Later in the day she begad to show signs of stock, and on the following Monday she became rapidly worse. An immediate operation was deemed advisable. After the operation her condition was low, ard she was given a blood transfusion, but did not rally. She died shortly after 5 a.m. on November 30th. Witness said that the apparatus used was efficient and modern, and he knew of no bette- one Dr T. M. Usher, who performed the operations, said that after the first operation tho child's condition was satisfactory He agreed that death was wholly due to the burns caused by the saline, and suggested that in future the temperature of the solution in the container should he reduced. Its effect, nevertheless, would not be the same. Salino was the nsual stimulant given after an abdominal operation. Gwendoline Watson, a probationer at tho hospital, stated that the apparatus was quite, all right when first used, but c.n returning to ihe child witness noticed ihat it was not flowing. Jn adjusting the apparatus the fluid rushed into the body at such a rato that it expelled tho tube. Witness was quits experienced in giving the treatment, having done so 40 or 50 times. “QUITE CAPABLE” Matron Stott, of the Wellington Hoe?ltai, said that Miss Watson was perectly capable, and was a most conscientious worker. Dr. D. Wilson, medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, Bain that there was no definite evidence that peritonitis wus not due to natural causes. Ho advocated the use of a thermometer •in conjunction with the apparatus, to I prevent burning in a similar happening j in the future. I The coroner’s finding was to the effect I that deceased died through being acciI dentally burned while receiving treatment after am operation. | "It is difficult to suggest anything to obviate the difficulty in the future," added Mr Page.