Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-08-06
From a late London paper.
Anniversary of the "Humane Society fo,
the recovery ofpersons in state Of
suspended animation

from a tate London Doper
anniversary OF the Humane Society for
0"e recovery OF persons in q state of
suspended animation.
The objects of this Society. and the spc.
cesstul exertions which thew have made in
restoring 10 life persons who have besn
drowned, are generally known. The follow.
ing statement, however, may not b. unin,er-
esting:
Since the establishment of the Society in
iT14 upwards OF hive thousand persons have
been rescued from apparent death, amongst
whom were many respectable members of the
society, aud great number of persons who
attempted to commit suicide. The object of
tho society is to preserve from premature
death persons apparently dead from drown.
ing, hanging, lightning, cold, heat, noxious
vapors, apoplexy and intoxcation. Before
this society was established many persons, in
every situation, were inferred as dead, when
lie was only suspended.--Th;s Committee,
IN this report, stated that during the late
frost - individuals had been saved from
premature death by the agents of tho Socis-
ty. a. the three following places At the. Scr
pentine river, Ia ut St. James Canal, 10;
and at The Regents Park, 2. Only one life.
was lost, and this arose from great negli-
gence, and Disregard of repeated warnings
| given by The Society's men. The Commit
tee, consistently with the object of the So
ciety, are constantly availing themselves Of
the improved state of medical science, with
view to perfect their methods of treatment:
and, desirous OF holding out an Involvement
to medical men TO pursue this beneficial tack.
| they adopted the resolution, on the 18th of
March last, to offer prize sold medal or 80
guineas, for the best, and a silver medal, or
| Id guineas for the second best Medical Essay
on the subject of suspended animation, and
the best means of restoring life, as well as
the pest and most approved apparatus to be
used Tor that purpose. The points to be- es-
! peciaily embraced by this Essay have, ut the
request OF the committee, been drawn up by
benjamin Collins Brodie, Esq. surgeon oi' st.
Georges Hospital, and member of the
Committee, as follows, viz:
| ''To determine the physiological phenom-
ena which occnr in cases Of death by drown.
ing, strangulation, the respiration of gases
winch are unit for the maintenance, of life
lightning, and exposure TO intense cold and
to explain the medical and surgical treat
ment which should be employed for tho recov-
cry OF persons who are in danger of perishing
from any Of the above mentioned causes
The following are the methods of treat
ment recommended by the Society, which
cannot be too widely disseminated
| Cdat,oRs-Lose no time. Avoid all rough
usage. Never hold the body up by. the
! ieet Nor roll the body on casks. Nor rub
the body with salts or spirits. Nor inject
tobacco smoke or infusion ot tobacco
ReSforatict .aeanS.-lt apparently drown
ed send quickly for medical assistance; but
not delay the following means.
! Convey the body carefully, with the head
and shoulders supported in a raised position,
to the nearest house. Strip the body and rub
IL dry !; then wrapi III hot blankets, and place
IL IN warm bed IN Il warm chamber. Wipe
aud Cleanse the mouth and nostris 10 order
TO restore the natural warmth of the body,
move a heated covered warming pan over
the back and spine; put bladders Dr bottles
OF hot water, or heated bricks, to tho pit of
the stomach, the arm pits, between the thighs
and to the soles OF The ieet !nment the body
with hot hannes but, if possible, immerse
the body III warm bath as hot as the hand
can bear without pain, as this is preferable
to the other means for restoring warmth
rub the body brskly with the hand do moi,
however, suspend the use of the other means
atthe same time. In order to restore breath
ing, introduce the pipe of a common bellows
(where The apparatus of the society is not
at hand) into one nosiril, carefully closing
the other and the mouth at the same time
drawing downwards, and pushing gently
backwards the upper part of the windpipe,
tn allow more free admission of air blow
the bellows gently, in order to initiate the
lungs, TILL the breast be little raised the
mouth and nostrIls should then be set free,
upon the chest. Repeat the process till life
appears Electricity to be employed early
by medical assistant Inject into the sto-
mach by means OF an elastic tube or syringe,
halt pint of'warm brandy and water or wine
and water. Apply sal volatile or hartshorn
to the nostrls
II apparently dead from intense cold. rub
. the body once with snow, ice or cold water
Restore warmth By slow degrees; and after
4 tha
recommended for the drowned. In these ac-
cdenis it is highly dangerous to apply heat
too early.
If apparently dead from hanging, in addi.
tisn toihe means recommended for the drown
ed, bleeding should early be employed by
medical assistant
] If appar emily dead from noxious vapours,
/ DC. remove the body into cool fresh air
| Dash cold water on the neck, face and breast,
I frequently If the body be cold, apply
warmth, as recommended for the drowned.
use the means as above recommended for
initiating the lungs. Let electricity (par-
ticnIarly in accidents from Legitimacy be
early employed by medical assistant
If apparently dead from intoxication Law
the body on bed with the head raised re.
move the neckcloth, and loosen the cloths
Obtain instantly medical assistance, as the
treatment must be regulated by the state of
the patient butin the meantime, apply clothes
soaked IN cold water to the head, and bottles
| OF hot water, or hot bricks, to the calves of
the legs and TO the feet.
If apparently dead from npoplexy, the pa
tent should be placed in cool air, and the
clothes loosened, particularly about tie neck
and breast. Bleeding must be early employ
ed by medical assistant; the quantity re-
guated by the state of the pulse. Cloths soak
ed In water, spirits, or vinegar and water,
should be applied tothe head which should be
instantly shaved. All stimulants should be
avoided In cases Of coup de soleil, or strokes
OF the sun, the same means to be used as in
apoplexy.
General SerUntions-On restoration to
life, a-spoonful of warm water should boz
given and then, if the power of swallowing
be returned, small quantities of warm wine,