St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-08-29
Treatment of the Drowned.


ing season through ignorance of the
proper method of treating persons who
are taken from the water in state of
insensibility. By following the plain
and practical directions given below,
which have the approval of the highest
medical authority, persons apparently
dead from drowning may be restored to
life.
RULE Expose the patient upon
the nearest dry spot to free current
of air, rip the clothing away from the
waist, and give a stinging slap upon
the pit of the stomach. If this fails to
arouse the patient, proceed to force and
drain away the water which has enter
ed the stomach. .rr..- ...-
RULE 2.-Turn the patient upon his
face, the pit of the stomach being raised
upon folded garment above the level
of the mouth. For a second or two
make steady pressure upon the back of
the stomach and chest, and repeat it
once or twice until fluid ceases to flow
from the mouth.
RULE 3.-Quickly turn the patient
upon his back, with the bundle of
clothing beneath it, so as to raise the
lower part of the breast-bone higher
than the restAof the body. Kneel be-
side or astride the patient, and so place
your hands upon either side of the pit
of the stomach, upon the front part of
the lower ribs, so that the fingers will
fall naturally into the spaces between
them, pointing toward the ground. Now
grasping the waist, and using your
knees as a pivot, throw your whole
weight forward, pressing upward, as if
to force the contents of the chest and
stomach out of the mouth. This bends
the yielding ribs together, lessons the
cavity of the chest, and foul air is
forced out or expired. Steadily increase
the pressure while you count one, two,
three, then suddenly let go, with final
push, which brings you back to an erect
kneeling position. The elastic ribs in
stantly spring back to their natural po-
sition, the cavity of the chest is en-
larged, and to prevent vacuum fresh
air is drawn in, or inspired. Thus is
produced breathing or respiration. Re-
main erect upon your knees while you
count one, two, then throw your weight
forward, and proceed again as before.
Repeat these bellows-like movements
at first about five times minute, grad
ually increase them to about fifteen
times minute, and continue with the
regularity and rhythm of the natural
breathing which you are initiating. II
another person be present, let him with
the left hand hold the tip of the tonuge
out of the left side of the patients
mouth with the thumb and finger COW
cred with handkerchief, while with
the right hand he grasps both wrists
and pins them to the ground above the
patients head.
AFTER-TREATMENT.
When breathing first returns, dash
violently little cold water occasional
ly in the face. AS soon as the breathing
has become natural, strip and dry the
patient rapidly and completely, and
wrap him in blankets only. Give hot
brandy and water, a tea-spoonful every
five minutes the first half hour, and g
tablespoonful every fifteen minutes
for an hour after that. If the
limbs are cold, apply friction. AL
low abundance of fresh air, and let the
patient have perfect rest.
In suffoeation from coal gas, fire.
damp, smoke, or from hanging, use
Rules lst and Sd only, with the after
treatment.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
AUOid del0y.-Promptness is of the
first Importance. A moment lost may
be life lost. Waste no time in gain
ing shelter; when gained, it oftener
harms than helps the patient.
PreUent crOlDding around the patient.
However difficult to accomplish, this
is imperative. The circulation of the
air must not be Obstructed, nor may
the patient when rallying, be urged
into conversation.
AUoid attempts to giUe stimulants be-
fore the patient is aUelI able to s,0dlIOU.-
1t obstructs respiration, and may choke
the patient.
AUoid hurried, irregular motions
the excitement of the moment this is
almost inevitable. Just as flickering
candle moved carelessly goes out, so
the heart, when beating imperceptibly,
requires but little cross motion or in
terruption to cause it to stop. The
movements of Rule 3 should, therefore,
be performed with deliberation and
rhy thm.
AuOid an oUerhedted rOOm.-The ami
NAL heat which is required can not be
supplied from without it must be gen.
Grated within the system. This is best
promoted by free supply of cool all
and the use of internal stimulants. The
vital heat resulting is best retained by
blankets alone to the surface.
AUoid giving up the patient too soon to
death.-Any time from a minute to an
hour or two you may be on the very
threshold of success, though no sign of
it be visible. Success is rarely achieved
in less than twenty minutes. The pa
tient should avoid exposure for few
days after recovery, or chest troubles
may ensue.