RETURNED SOLDIER'S DEATH
INQUEST AT DUNEDTN OPENED TO-DAY.
Edward Holme Richmond, single, a shearer and wool classer, aged twentynine years, died at the Dunedin Hospital at 4.30 yesterday afternoon whilst being operated upon for an injury to his hand. Richmond served with the 26th Reinforcements. When he returned in October or November, 1918, he was suffering from a wound in the hand. This wound necessitated surgical treatment. He went into the hospital on the 27th June this year. The treatment consisted of three orthopaedic operations. The second of these operations was performed a month ago. The third was fixed for yesterday. Dr J. Renfrew White was the operating surgeon, Dr Marion Whyte administered the anaesthetic. It is said that the patient took the anaesthetic badly, his nerves being a trouble, and that his breathing became difficult, and though the usual restoratives were applied he expired in ten minutes. An inquest was opened at the hospital at noon to-day by Mr H. T. Widdowson, coroner. Sergeant Shanahan represented the police.
The only evidence taken was that of Harold Harding Richmond, salesman, residing at Green Island. He identified the body as that of his brother, who was born at Oamaru, and resided with witness and their mother when he was networking in the country. At the war the deceased got a gunshot wound in the hand, and he suffered much from the injury, being unable to work for any length of time. The family did not know that this operation was to take place. Apart from the wound the general health of the deceased was good, and witness would not say that he was ordinarily nervous. He had the influenza at the time of the epidemic. Witness was away at the time, but understood he had it pretty severely. The Coroner adjourned, the inquest to a date to be hereafter fixed. -Evening Star, 20/8/1921.
The funeral of the late Private Edward Holme Richmond, who died while undergoing an operation in the Dunedin Hospital, took place at the Anderson Bay Cemetery yesterday. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, O.B.E. The Defence Department was represented by Lieutenant Healey, and Bugler Napier sounded the ‘Last Post.’ -Evening Star, 22/8/1921.
DEATH DURING OPERATION
NO BLAME ATTACHABLE.
An inquest concerning the death of a returned soldier named Edward Holme Richmond was concluded before Mr H. Y. Widdowson. S.M., yesterday afternoon. Deceased died while undergoing tin operation at the Dunedin Hospital on Friday.
Dr Colvin, senior house surgeon, said he know deceased. He was admitted to the hospital on June 25, because of a scar on the back of his right hand. Between the time he was admitted and the last operation he had been operated on three times. His general condition was good. For the final stage of treatment of the scar it was necessary that a fourth operation be performed. This was done on August 19. Before the operation deceased was nervous and apprehensive. He felt sick when he was placed on the operating table. The giving of the anaesthetic commenced a little after 4.20, but he took it badly. The operation was started by Dr Renfrew White at about 4.30. Witness was all ready to assist. Dr Marion said that deceased was getting worse, and his breathing became weaker, and stopped at about 4.32. Artificial respiration was commenced, as well as other measures, including massage of the heart, but there was no response. The measures were kept up for about half an hour. Dr Billcliff, house surgeon at the hospital, said when deceased was admitted he remained under witness’s care until about five days before his death. During that time he had three operations to his right hand. He had an anaesthetic for each operation. The first operation, was on July 8, the second on July 22, and the third on August 8. His physical condition was apparently good, but he was addicted to alcohol to such an extent that witness on one occasion ordered that some of his garments be taken from him, so that he could not leave the ward without permission. In spite of this, he borrowed garments from other patients, and left the ward without permission on several occasions. On one occasion witness could swear he had had liquor. On another he tore the stitches from the wound in his side. Witness had to speak to him several times to let him know the dangers of drinking.
Dr Marion Whyte said that she thought she administered the anaesthetic on all four occasions. The patient was difficult to get under. At the fourth operation he was very nervous, and began to vomit as soon as the anaesthetic was started. He continued vomiting until witness changed the anaesthetic and gave him chloroform. Later his breathing became difficult, and then stopped for about half a minute. He recovered, and after a few minutes the operation was commenced. His breathing was then quite good, but soon witness saw that he was losing ground. Stimulant was administered, but his breathing became slower and stopped. Artificial respiration was began, and the measures were kept up for about half an hour without result.
Dr Renfrew White, honorary orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, said he performed the first, second, and fourth operations. Deceased was alcoholic. He was just ready to commence the fourth operation when Dr Marion Whyte said the patient was having trouble with his breathing and had spasm of the jaw. Witness went to her assistance, but in thirty seconds he was breathing again. Witness made the first incision about three minutes later, and then Dr Whyte stopped him, as the patient had stopped breathing again. His pulse had also stopped. While Dr Whyte was giving stimulants witness started artificial respiration, and kept it up for about ten minutes. Then he opened the abdomen and massaged the heart; but these artificial means were without avail. Witness did not interfere with the anaesthetic.
Dr A. M. Brennan, professor of pathology, handed in a written report of the examination he had made. He was of opinion that deceased died of heart and respiratory failure following on the administration of an anaesthetic. There was distinct evidence of asphyxiation. The history of the case pointed to laryngeal spasm, and that would explain what he found. He certainly thought that every care was taken.
The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with Dr Drennan’s evidence — That death was due to heart and respiratory failure following the administration of an anaesthetic, which the patient had taken badly, exhibiting spasm of the larynx, resulting in asphyxiation. This was one of those cases in which the administrator of the anaesthetic was in no way to blame. -Evening Star, 25/8/1921.
Edward Richmond was wounded, losing the little finger of his right hand, during a relatively quiet period of the war, at Polygon Wood in the Flanders area.
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