Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-07-31
From the N. Y. Observer.
Reconciliation of Appa rently Drowned
Persons.

EtcsuscitatiOn of Appa rently Drowned
Persons.
Cut out the following and preserve it and
you may save fellow beings life:
Our columns contain almost daily, says the
Newark .4drertiser, reports Of persons benz.
deprived of life by drowning. Fatal accidents
from this cause are always numerous at this
season, when SO many persons are on the wa
ter for business or pleasure. Frequently
bodies are recovered, after being submerged
only short time, and life might be restored
by proper appliances. 1t has been said by
some medical authorities that cases of sub
mersion for even so long time as half an
hour, are not entirely hopeless. The popular
idea of drowningIs that death is produced BY
water getting into the internal cavities of the
bOdy,an efforts to restore persons arc made
by rolling them on barrels &c. This is all
wrong. Water may go into the stomach, but
it viii do no harm if it should. 1t does not 20
into the lungs, where only it would do injury.
Death by drowning is produced through the
want of air to breathe-it is death similar to
that produced by smothering. lfrespration
and its consequence, the circulation of blood,
can be restored, the person will be saved it
the case of persons immersed for some time
in the water, than in cases Of trance, where
the vital functions are suspended for long pc,
RODS. In this connection we commend TO
the pernsal Of all, the rules for the resusi-
tatIon of apparently drowned persons, given
by the eminent English ply sician, DR.. Mar
shall Hall {:
|. Treat the patient instantly, on the spot
in the open air, exposing the face and chest
to the breeze, except in severe weather
ii. TO Clear the Throat Place the patti
ent gently on the face, with one wrist under
the forehead; all fluids, and the tongue itself,
then fall forward, leaving the entrance INFO
the windpipe free. If there be breathing,
wait and watch if not, Or if it fails,
III. To Excite Respiration-Turn the patient
well and instantly on his side, and excite tn.
nostrils with snuff or the throat with a feath
er, etc, and dash cold water on the face, pre-
viously rubbed warm. IL there be no sue
cess lose not moment but instantly
". To Initiate Respiration- Rel lace the
patient on his face, raising and supporting the
chest well on a folded coat or other article
Of dress Turn the body very gently on the
side and little beyond, and then briskly on
the face alternately repeating these measures
deliberately, efficiently and perseveringly, fif-
teen times in the minute, occasion lily varying
the side. when the patient reposes on the
chest this cavity is compressed by the weight
of the body, aud expiration takes place; when
he is turned on the side, this pressure is re-
moved, and inspiration occurs.l When the
prone position is resumed, make cquable, but
eiiicienet pressure with brisk movement, along
the back of the chest, removeing it immcdi-
ately before rotation On the side. The first
measure au.,ments the expiration, the second
commences inspiration. The result is respi-
ration, and, if not too late, life.
V. To Induce Circulation and Warmth.-
Meantime, rub the limbs upwards: with firm,
grasping pressure, and with energy, using
handkerchief etc. BY this measure, the hood
is propelled along the veins towards the heart.
Let the limbs be thus warmed and then
clothed, the bystanders supplying the requisite
garments Avoid the continuous warm bath
and the position on or inclined to the back.
This treatment is to be preserved in for three
or four hours, as it is the erroneous opinion
that persons are recoverable, because life
does not soon make its appearance. Cases
have come under the notice of the Royal
Humane Society Unsuccessful result even after
five hours.