DEATH AFTER OPERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 282, 21 April 1913, Page 8

DEATH AFTER OPERATION.

FITZIIOY RESIDENT COLLAPSES. ,

Mr. A. C'rooke, District Coroner, held an inquest on Saturday touching the loath of Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Ilarley, v ho died at Fitzrov, at the residence of her son-in-iaw, Mr. J. Ramson, on Friday night, as the result of an operation. Dr. Fookes gave evidence that on April 11 he had been called in to see deceased late at night. She was suffering from rather acute abdominal pain and vomiting. lie gave her a sedative, and saw ber again nest day, when she appeared to be better. She remained about the same for two or three days, when her condition became more alarming, and he advised an operation, to which the patient would not give her consent. On the evening of Thursday her condition became more critical, and having again advised an operation and the patient still refusing her consent, he had a consultation with Mr. Wvlie, who agreed with him that her oniv chance of life was in the performing of an operation. The operation was practically completed whfin the patient collapsed and died. Tin* administration of the 'anaesthetic had been discontinued for a quarter of an hour prior to this, and death was in no way attributable td\ the ana esthetic. Death was due to shock, the result .of gangrene of'"the bowel, and the operation for its relief. The patient had been suffering from an abdominal tumour for the past seven years, and had on several .occasions been advised to have it removed. He performed the operation in conjunction with Mr. D. S. Wvlie. the anaesthetist being Dr. Suttie. Had the operation not been performed the patient would have undoubtedly died within 24 hours, but the operation gave her ( a chance of life.

A verdict was given in conformity with the medical evidence.