The evening times., 1900-03-02
ETHER CAUSES DEATH
L wealthy Young Man Ezpircs Dur
Ing an Operation.

Ing an Operation.
NEW YORK March 2-While undergo
Ing a surgical operation. which was con-
sidered to be Of triilng Importance John
Groh- wealthy young brewer, of this
city, died Tuesday afternoon on the oper-
ating table in the New York Polytechnic
Medical School and Hospital at 21I East
Thirty-fOurth Street.
At his own request ether had been ad-
ministered to Mr.. Groh He had COM
planned Of the pain while the surgeons
were at work. Only a small portion OF the
drug was administered but almost i'm
mediately the patiens's respiratory system
became paralyzed and che heart ceased
beating Every means h.iown to the sur
geons was exerted in the effort TO revive
him. and hope was not relinquishej for
more than two hours.
Mr.. Groh for several years had been suf-
ierlng from a growth in the back Of his
nose. behind the posteri1r mares. When he
was awake il bothered him little. but when
ne slept II made breathing difficult and
thus caused him great nervousness. Under
the advice OF DR.. c. f. Gilbert. who had
long been his family physician. he decided
10 have the growth removed. He was tolt
Jhal me surgeons would require only a
lew minutes for the operation which was
expected 10 be CT simple natur~
notwithstanding the assurances Of the
surgeon. Mr.. Groh was extremely nervous
over the prospect Of recovery saying that
he had a premCniti0n that the operation
would be Of much more serious nature
than was expected On the advice OF Dr.
Gilbert he went 10 the Polytechnic Hospital
Monday and rented a room as o private pa
tiont
IL was arranged that he should have
complete rest during The twenty four
hours preceding the operation. He was
instructed as 10 his diet. and promised his
physician TO have himself ia perfect physi-
cal condition by Tuesday afternoon.
Instead OF needing the advice OF the
physician he went out Monday afternoon
and absorbed a large amount OF stimu-
idnts, in order, as he said TO nerve him
self for the ordeal. This was unknown 20
the surgeons before whom he appeared
Tuesday afternoon at the hour agreed
upon.
DR.. Robert c. Myles. a specialist who
/ had an arranged TO perform the operation,
found Mr. Groh's heart In a normal con-
Z dition. and there seemed 10 be no reason
why the work should not proceed Dr.
Myles at FIRST used only cocaine but when
Mr.. Groh complained Of the pain and asked
FOR ether he was humorcd.
Competent assistants administered the
drug, and they were quick 20 see that all
was not well with the patient. The opera
ton was at once abandoned. but before ans
attempt could be made TO revive Mr. Groh
his respiration had entirely ceased. DIR.
Nyles. who deeply regrets the outcome.
IS relieved Of all responsibility. as he took
every precaution i'm advance
Mr.. GrOh was about thirty-fo years
old, and after his fathers death. five years
be- nff F..f fT
gone pace that few could follow Years
ago Michael Groh and his wife. Julia A.
. Groh. established a brewery in West
I Twcnty-eiEhth Street which they Jointly
managed TO their great profit. The senior
1 Groh died Ia 1898. leaving an estate valued
1 al upward 1f S2,0G0.0Oo. 90 be divided
among his widow and two sons Michael
and John. Michael died two years after
his father. leaving his share in the estate
which had been considerably increased TO
his brother
John Groh married In October. 1897. and
with his wife. Susie. established an elabor-
ate home at l10 Riverside avenue With
IN four months the young couple COncIud-
ed they had made a mistake. and drew up
an agreement TO live apart for a year. A
little later GrOh discovered his wife in the
company Of a young man. and three suits
for divorce f0llowed-couatC-- be-
tween the GTOhs. while the wife Of Mrs
Groh's companion also sought relief from
her marital bonds. After d sensational
trial Mr. GrOh obtained a decree.