More About Michael Jackson’s Foolish Physician
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Janet Jackson accused Michael’s physician, Conrad Murray, of killing her brother. In my mind this is not only plausible, but also quite likely.
What gives me the right to an opinion on this? Before I was a pain specialist, I was an anesthesiologist. In my work as an anesthesiologist, I regularly employed the drugs Michael was getting. This is especially true of the narcotics (opioids) and propofol.
Dr. Murray did NOT have the special training I did that enabled me to manage the problems that arise when these drugs are used, especially in combination.
Michael had a substantial supply of narcotics in his house, and also was asking Dr. Murray to give him propofol so he could get to sleep. With a large amount of narcotic drug in his body the propofol is more likely to make him STOP BREATHING!
For an anesthesiologist, this is no big deal. Anesthesiologists are taught how to recognize that situation and deal effectively with it. No other medical specialty has this knowledge.
Conrad Murray, MD is a cardiologist, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease. He certainly would know how to poke needles into veins. He would not know how to manage the problems that come from giving drugs in combinations that make the patient stop breathing.
WARNING! TECHNICAL INFORMATION AHEAD! YOUR BRAIN MAY CRAMP UP AND STOP FUNCTIONING!
Apnea, stopping breathing, is almost as common as general anesthesia. It is something anesthesiologists are prepared for! The preparation involves two things: giving oxygen by mask to increase the reserve of oxygen in the lungs; and preparing to assist or take over the breathing for the patient if he stops breathing.
Without those preparations, giving the propofol to a patient who already has a bunch of narcotics in him is just plain foolish! Stupid!
With those preparations, if the patient stops breathing, so what! It’s a nonevent, just part of the day, no big deal, and not much danger to the patient.
Back to simpler and nontechnical stuff.
Conrad Murray, MD behaved foolishly, and probably killed Michael Jackson, at least in my opinion.
Does that make him a perpetrator of a criminal homicide? I leave that judgment to the LA county prosecutor.
I strongly advise Dr. Murray to stick to what he knows and can do well. I have little doubt that he is a reasonable cardiologist, and can treat heart disease pretty well. He should stay away from the temptations of easy money treating celebrities in unwise ways, catering to their whims.