Nigel Cox (doctor) – Lillian Boyes

In 1991 Lillian Boyes, then 70, entered the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Cox was her consultant and had been treating Boyes for 13 years. As her rheumatoid arthritis became worse, she pleaded with him to end her life.

In 1991 Lillian Boyes, then 70, entered the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Cox was her consultant and had been treating Boyes for 13 years. As her rheumatoid arthritis became worse, she pleaded with him to end her life. According to the hospital chaplain, 'When anyone touched her you could hear the bones move about in their joints. The sound will stay with me to the grave'.

In August 1991, he administered an injection of two ampoules of potassium chloride, in order to stop her heart. After she died, Patrick, one of her sons, thanked Cox. In Cox's view, he probably shortened her life by "between 15 minutes and an hour."

Cox entered the amount used in the hospital log - twice the amount needed to cause death. It was then noticed by a nurse, who reported it. Cox signed the cause of death as having been bronchial pneumonia.

Cox was arrested for attempted murder and suspended for 18 months by the hospital, though he was allowed to teach at another hospital and continue his private practice.


Adapted from the Wikipedia article Nigel Cox (doctor), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki








Related Articles

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathyIf you or a loved one you know have had kidney problems and recently visited your doctor for an MRI dye injection, you may automatically have a lawsui...
DiclofenacFinding the right set of gout treatments for you can be an overwhelming prospect. It is hard to know why certain people suffer from gout and why other...
ImmunologyIf you or a member of your family is suffering from allergies, an allergy doctor can be one of the most important persons to have in your life. If yo...
RheumatologistA rheumatologist and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Nortin Hadler has been known to rigorously examine the statistics ...
Arthritis drugsEver since the voluntary withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market, debate has raged regarding the risks of COX-2 drugs. Another casualty of the...