The Express.
London, England, 1863-09-02 00:00:00

TREATMENT OF THE APPARENTLY DEAD.

TO TOE IDITOR OF THE rc rums.
Su,—AN it hose often been remarked that if a
nagthed or plan of treating the apparently drowned bed
bees at Land, where accidents occur, many could have beam
mad who died, f send the enclosed rules for treating the
apparently dead from drowning, &c., and would ask the
favour of your publishing them in your journal, so that
the reader. in general may derive some benefit from
them.
These rules are the result of the labours of the
committee of the Royal Ifednal and Chirurgiml Society
of London. which have been for nearly two years, at the
request of the Royal Humane Society, making the most
careful experimental and inquiries into the beet methods of
treating the apparently drowned, and from those gentleman
being amongst some of the most celebrated in their prof's-
am for their scientific knowledge, the committee of this
Institution feel the utmost confidence in circulating these
rules for the guidance of the public ; and it is hoped they
racy stall be the means of saving many lives which might
otherwise be lost through ignorance of what to do.—l
on, he., LAMBTON J. H. YOUNG, Secretary.
Itayal Humane Society's office, 4, Trafalgar-square, W.C.

DIRECTIONS FOR RESTORUiG nie APPARENTLY DRAD.
I. if from Drowning or other Suffocation, or Narcotic
Poisoning.—Send immediately for medical assistance,
blankets, and dry clothing, but proceed to treat the patient
lastaatly, securing as much fresh air as possible. The
points to be aimed at are—first, and immediately, the resto-
ration of breathing ; and secondly, after breathing is M-
otored, the promotion of warmth and circulation. The
efforts to restore life must be persevered in until the ani-
eel of medical assistance, or until the pulse atm breathing
lave cowed for at least an hour.
TREATMENT TO RENTORE NATURAL BREATHING.
Bale I. To Maintain a Free Entrance of Air into the
Windpipe.—Cleanse the mouth and nostrils ; open the
mouth ; draw forward the patient's tongue and keep it for-
ward ;an elastic band over the tongue and under the chin
will answer this purpose. Remove all tight-fitting clothing
from about the neck and chest.
Rale 2. To adjust the Patient's Position.— Piece the
patient on his back on a flat surface, inclined a little from the
bet upwards; raise and support the had and shoulders on a
small firm cushion or folded article of dress placed under
the shoulder-blades.
Role 3. To imitate the Movements of Breathiog.—Grasp
the patient's arms just above the elbows, end draw the
arms gently and steadily upwards, until they meet above
the bead (this is for the purpose of drawing au into the
lungs) ; and keep the arms in that position for two
seconds. Then turn down the patient's arm; and press them
geatly and firmly for two seconds against the sides of the
chest (this is with the object of pressing air out of the
laws. Pressure on the breast.bom will aid this).
Repeat these measures alternately, deliberately, and peter-
earingly, fifteen timed in a minute, until a spontaneous
effort to respire ls perceived, immediately upon which
ewe to imitate the movements of breathing, and proceed to
Induce circulation and warmth (as below). Should a warm
bath be procurable, the body may be placed is it rep to the
neck, continuing to imitate the movements of breathing.
Raise the body in twenty seconds in a situp; position, and
dash cold water against the chest rod face, and pass arnomois
wader the nose. The patient should not be kept in the warm
bath longer than five or lax minutes.
Rule 4. To Excite Inspiration.—Darin; the employment
of the above method cactus the nostrils with snuff or smell.
*eats. or tickle the throat with a feather. Rub thecheet
and face briskly, and dash cold and hot water alternately
ea them.

TREATIKSSI AFTER NATURAL BREATHING HAB
RESTORED.

Dade To induce Circulation and Warmth.—Wrap the
patient is dry blankets and commence rubbing the limbs up-
wards firmly and energetically. The friction must be con-
tinued under the blankets or over the dry clothing. Promote
the warmth of the body by the applk.alion of hot flannels,
bottles or bladders of hot water, heated bricks. &a., to the
pit of the stomach, the armpits, between the thighs, and to
SIN soles of the feet. Warm clothing may generally be °b-
erthed from bystanders. On the restoration of life, when
The power of swallowing has returned, a teaspooof n 1 of warm
water, small quantities of wine, warm bithdy and water, or
*Au should be given. The patient should be kept to bed,
end *disposition to sleep encouraged. During reaction large
atuterd plasters to the chest and below the shoulders will
gamily relieve the distressed breathing.
IL If from latenseCold. —Rub the body with mow, ice, or
wad water. Restore warmth by slow degrees. In thou
accidents it is highly dangerous to apply hest too early.
111. II Item Intoxication.—Lay the individual on his
side ea a bed with his heed raised. The patient should be
thawed to vomit. Stimulants should he avoided.
IV. If from Apoplexy or from Sun-stroke.—Cold should
be applied to the head, which should be kept well raised.
Tight clothing should be removed from the neck and chest
Stimulants should be avoided.
Appeennoes wbich generally indicate Death.—Then is
so breathing or butt's anion, the eyelids are generally
Ulf-closed, the pupils dilated, the jaws clenched, the
fingers semi-contracted, the tongue appearing between the
teeth, and the mouth and nostrils are covered with a frothy
mucus. Coldness and pallor of surface increases.