The shocking intelligence became known last night that Dr. Chas M Cawood, son of Dr. J C Cawood, died at his residence, 157 Scott Street, North Knoxville.

It appears the deceased had for sometime been a sufferer from tuberculosis of the left ankle joint and an operation was found necessary. According to his father, the dean of the Tennessee Medical College, Dr. Drake, Dr. C Deaderick and Dr. Ben Cates assembled at 4 o'clock last evening to perform the operation called aspiration of the joint, in other words to draw liquid from the affected joint.

After some consultation at which the deceased's brother Robert, was also present, it was decided to administer chloroform and perform the operation. Scarcely had the chloroform been applied when the patient stopped the work, saying it made him sick and he proceeded to vomit freely. He then sank back on the pillow and died instantly. His heart stopped beating even before his breathing ceased.

The situation was a peculiarly sad one. The father became overwhelmed with grief. Ordinarily it would have been an occasion of embarrassment but the physicians are among the most skillful in the profession. They knew, especially the father all the weak points of the patient and governed themselves accordingly. Yet it is one of those exceptional cases known to the profession where unexpected results happen.

The deceased was about thirty-one years of age and was born in Jefferson County. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee and then took up the profession of his father and had acquired an excellent practice for one of his age.

Some three years ago he had married the handsome and accomplished daughter of H. G. Mead and their marriage has been blessed with one child. The bereaved wife has many friends who will share her sorrow with her. About two years ago the deceased built one of the prettiest houses in Knoxville on Scott Street, where a superb view of the city and mountains is presented and it seems hard to see a young man thus stricken down in the midst of such splendid promises as laid before this one.

Source: The Knoxville Daily Journal, Monday, Sunday, April 8, 1894

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis