Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-20
nRnMN.NR NOT DEATH.

Che Nov York P0st, Of Tuesday last, has
an article from Dr.. I. S. Lambert upon
drowning, which merits attention. He I'M
derstands drowning to be not death, but sus-
pended animation. 1t may and does become
death, but only aft,r certain time. When
a person browns, water DOES not get into and
Gil the lungs, as is c-mmor'y supposed. The
same action of the organs that prevert' water
getting into the wrong throat" when we
drink, prevents it when we drown. The
breathlugls stopped; this stops the action
of the heart, and the blood presses on
the brain. and uucoug ciousness ensues. The
animal heat then passes away, the fatty parts
OF the body become hard, and the whole or
ganizltion rigid. In this condition the lungs
have lost their power to expand, the heart
cannot beat, the veins cannot convey the
blood. Upt the time the changes occur that
annihiate life DIR. Lambert considers recovery
from drowning or other forms OF suifocation
possible Various facts led him to this con-
cluson. Drowned flies, put in the sun, re-
cover and fly away. A hen, partly frozen
and wholly drowned, recovered on be-
ing put by a stove. Other hens were
drowned 10 test this fact, and recovered by
being made warm. A cat drowned then
left in the sun, recovered. A dog was in
tentionally drowned three different times,
once twenty minutes under the water; each
time he recovered on being laid in the hot
sun. Dr. Lambert has brought to life eight
persons, who had been drowned, using only
heat as the means of recovery. The doctor
L Al - H., ,,,,l
persons: l. A recently drowned person
is not dead; knowing that. be hopeful,
be cool, and be prompt. 2. When the
drowned person is taken out of the water,
turn his face down, for moment only, 10
allow any water in the nose or throat to run
out. There is no water in the lungs, conse-
quently no rolling on barrel, to get out
what is not in, is required; what has been
swallowed into the stomach will do no ham,
Lay the patient out of currents of air, upon
the back, the head slightly raised. 3. If
he has to be removed to where heat can be
applied, keep the head and body in the
above position during the removal. 4. If
| there must be delay before heat can be
| reached, take off the wet clothes and wrap
around the patient dry articles from the by
standers's apparel; several thicknessess are
best. 5. As soon as heat is at hand,
apply it as ingenuity and circumstances
suggest to be most likely to quickly
and thoroughly warm the body. When
that is accomplished, theory and fact
agree in assuring US that, If life yet PERSISTS,
the heart will begin to beat, happily soon
| followed by breathing, both feebly and I'M
| frequently at first, but more strongly and
faster until they become natural, when con-
seriousness will return. If the heart gives
| one beat or the lungs one gasp, no more
n ed be done; keep the person warm and he
will soon be "all right" 6. Suffocation in
any other manner should be treated in the
same way, except that in choking and in
| strangling the substances causing these con-
| ditiOns should be fist removed; and in case
of breathing poisonous gas, or smoke, arti-
fetal respiration should first be tried until the
gas or smoke has been changed for good air
in the lungs. Heat may be used by soaking
blankets or other articles In hot water and
applying them; putting bottles of hot water
to the feet; hot dry blankets, and even lying
IN a hot sun or before fire with heat ap-
piled at the extremeties, may be resorted to.
The thing is to apply heat to the whole sur
face OF the body as soon as possible-taking
the tea or the coffee from the pot on the table
if it is handiest-snd to do it by the means
most rea Oily accessible as circumstances will
allow and the judgment directs. The means
here directed are simple, and the reader who
retains recollection of them may some day
be the instrument of saving life.