TWO conflicting medical views were put forward in the Coroner's Court yesterday on the cause of death of a patient who took Chinese herbs.
The contrasting evidence was heard in the case of Choi Mei-to, 54, when cardiologist Dr Tai Yau-ting disagreed with a forensic pathologist's conclusion that the cause of death was adverse effects to phenytoin.
Phenytoin is an anti-convulsion drug used for epilepsy or heart rhythm disorders, the court was told.
The court heard the drug was administered to Choi over a four-hour period on October 1 last year. He was admitted to Pok Oi Hospital, Yuen Long, at about 1 pm, about two hours after he took herbal medicine prescribed by a Chinese herbalist.
Dr Khin Khin Sein, who carried out the autopsy, was unable to attend court yesterday as she was unwell, but colleague Dr Wong Hon-man gave evidence on her behalf.
Dr Wong said he was testifying on the cause of death based on Dr Khin's findings.