Died under Anaesthetic: Sad Sequel to Accident: Sequel to Accident circumstances the death of Walter York (41) hosiery trimmer 16 Leonard’s-Street Infirmary under anesthetic were investigated by Mr. Pike (Borough Coroner) this afternoon. It appeared that the deceased went with a party to Swithland, and while there fell down a small hill, injured his ankle, and was brought to the Infirmary, where it was discovered that the ankle was fractured.
Harry Pincent, wheelwright, 52 Westboume Street, brother-in-law, said accompanied York and party to Hill’s Farm Swithland. They were walking down the hill with the deceased’s wife, when the deceased lost control and had to run, tripped, and injured his ankle. He was a temperate man but not an abstainer and had very little to drink on Sunday.
Dr Esterman, assistant house surgeon at the Infirmary said the deceased was admitted at about eight o’clock Sunday night. Delirium tremens set in, the deceased being very violent, and had to be strapped down. On Thursday it was necessary to put the ankle in a plaster stocking, and in order to keep the deceased quiet an anaesthetic was administered. He continued to be violent, and then collapsed, and although artificial respiration was tried for over an hour, it was to no avail. In his opinion death was due to extreme exhaustion from delirium tremens, accelerated by the violent struggle under the anesthetic.
Delirium tremens sometimes followed a slight injury, even though the patient showed no signs before. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence with addition of an accident, was returned
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0404 Tiverton: Henry Pinsent: 1871 – 1939 (?)