MYSTERIOUS DISEASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 913, 5 March 1930, Page 1

MYSTERIOUS DISEASE

CHILD DIES AFTER OPERATION Press Association WELLINGTON, Tuesday. An interesting statement regarding an obscure disease, which he said could not be detected, during life, was given in his post-mortem report by Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist td the Wellington Hospital, at the inquest today concerning the death of Dorothy Florence Henderson, aged six, who died in the Wellington Hospital following an operation for adenoids on February 26. In his report on the post-mortem examination of the child, Dr. Lynch said he was of the opinion that in the case of this otherwise healthy child the condition of “status lymphaticus,” well known for its sudden and unexpected fatal influence, was the most important, factor in the death.

“It has been frequently noted," added Dr. Lynch, “that this condition of status lymphaticus is an important faetof in unexplained deaths. By no method of examination can its presence be detected during life. 1 consider that the shock of the operation and the anaesthetic were undoubtedly factors in the casualty. There was a complete absence of any operation or post-operation accident which might lead to haemorrhage or choking.” The coroner, Mr. T. B. McNeil, S.M., returned a verdict that the cause of death was status lymphaticus, accentuated by the shock of the .operation and the anaesthetic.