Death by Chloroform, and Alleged Death by Ether

Death under Chloroform

An unexplained death: Hannah Greener and chloroform.

HANNAH Greener of Winlaton, near Newcastle in the United Kingdom, died more than 150 yr ago, on January 28, 1848, after receiving a chloroform anesthetic for the removal of a toenail. She was a healthy 15-yr-old girl who had successfully undergone an anesthetic with diethyl ether several months before for the removal of another toenail. Hers was the first death (fig. 1) attributed to the new an...

Chloroform or Ether?

The question of which is the best and safest general anaesthetic continues to be constantly brought under the notice of the profession by the frequent occurrence of deaths during anaesthesia. The fact that opinions are still so divided shows that a good deal can be said in favour of both chloroform and ether; but one thing stands out pre-eminently, and that is, that when deaths do occur they ar...

Alleged dowry death: a study of homicidal burns.

Homicidal burning of married women in India is a major concern for the Government, law-enforcing authorities, the judiciary, the police and medico-legal experts all over the country who are associated with dowry disputes. Dowry death, a heinous crime, is gradually engulfing and polluting the entire society. Sections 304(B) and 498(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been introduced and Secti...

Death by coconut.