Conn D A, Pace N, Dougall J R
Department of Anaesthetics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.
Br J Hosp Med. 1991 Dec;46(6):391-2.
Patients in a state of persistent vegetation or 'cognitive death' are an emotional drain on their family, and a financial drain on a society with limited resources. In this article, society's responsibility towards these patients and the moral and ethical issues involved in the withdrawal of fluid and nutrition are discussed.