DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 228, 14 February 1913, Page 8

DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM

ELDERLY WOMAN EXPIRES. (Per Press Association). Dunedin, Last Night. An inquest was held this afternoon on the body of Elizabeth Young, aged G5 years, wife of Anthony Young, of Fairfax, who died at the hospital early this morning while under chloroform. The medical evidence showed that the deceased had been suffering from cancer, and the only chance of recovery was to undergo an operation. Ifer general condition wan not at all satisfactory, and it was recognised that there was grave risk, both in regard to the anaesthetic and the operation. The operation had to be performed in two stages. She came through the first stage very well, and but little more remained to be done. At the second operation the patient suddenly collapsed, and in spite of all effort- she could not hd resuscitated. The second operation was not serious, and the hemorrhage was practically nil. The patient died from respiratory failure, due to the anaesthetic. About three weeks elapsed between the operations. Deceased made an excidlejit recovery after the first. The anaesthetic used was ether, which was the safest that could be used. Deceascd;had been in poor health for two years, and was very bad during the last eight months. The coroner found that denth was due to heart- failure after an anaesthetic, rendered necessary by an important operation.