The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-11-15
RuIes for the Reconsideration of Per-
sons Apparently Drowned.


The recent fatal accident last week at Waikiki sug-
gests very forclbly the Importance of having the
members of the community properly instructed in
the measures which should be resored to in the case
of persons apparently drowned. AT such times every
moment is precious, and it is of the utmost mpor-
lance that those present should be prepared to do
the right thing at once, as even few minutes
wasted in ignorant or ildrected efforts may be
just sufficient TO seal the doom of the victim.
TIE length of time that persons can remain under
water and afterwards be resusctated varies ac-
cording TO the circumstances attending each in
dfyidual case, but it should never be forgotten
that those who have been entirely submerged
for some minutes and in whom no sign of life
appears can BY the use OF proper means, persis
tently followed up often be restored. have
therefore thought 1 might render public service
by preparing for publication the following plain
directions TO be followed in cases of supposed
drowning:
First.-As soon as the person is removed from
the water let all wet clothing be at and as ex-
peditiously as possible removed, and let him be
Immediately euseloped in blankets or in such warm
wooden covering as may be altainable. In the al
sence OF either resources clothing from the by
ISLANDERS may be made available for this purpose.
Second.-Clear the mouth and throat from water,
mucus or any other substance which might prevent
the access of air TO the lungs. For this purpose
let the tongue be seized aud drawn well forward
with one hand willie the index finger of the other
hand euveloped In handkerchief or towel is car
RED far back in the mouth possible aud swept
around the back of the mouth and upper part of
the throat II there is any tendency Of the tongue
to fall back and obstruet the entrance TO the wind
pipe it.must be seized, drawn well forward, and
held there throughout all the subsequent proceed
ings.
Third.-If possible, applications of heat by means
of bottles Of hot water hot bricks or stones wrapp
ed in cloths etc, should be made to the surface of
the body, particularly the extremities, and perse-
vered in until the patient is entirely restored it
becomes perfectly evident that he is dead Care
should be taken however that these applications
are not hot enough to blister burn the patient,
who being entirely insensible nigh; in tie hurry
and confusion Of the moment receive serious in
jury without its being noticed
Fourth.-Let brisk friction with warm cloths or
any stimulating application which may be attain
able be made and kept up throughout the treat
ment-
Fifth.-Let artificial respiration be Tesorted to
and kept up for at least half an hour before giving
over the case as hopeless. This, the most import
ant means Of all for the restoration of persons APP
parenily drowned, should be commenced as soon
the patient is relieved of his wet clothes and laid
in arecumbent position, and kept up simultane-
ousy with the other means prescHbed-hot aPpli-
cations, frictions, etc
The readiest method for the performance of arti-
fetal respiration Is for the operator 10 stand just
behind the head of the patient and grasping the
two arms Of the latter just above the wrists bring
them gradually to vertical position, so as 10
make them nearly meet above the patients head.
They are to be held In this position for mo-
ment and then returned slowly TO The sides AZ the
close OF this latter movement pressure is 10 be
made with the arms on the sides ofthe chest and