Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-04
WGSDEEsE RESURRECTION.
Suggestions Relative to the Saving Of
Human Life.

To the Eiitor Of THE EVENING STAR:
My attention has been called to an article con-
tanned in your publication of September 9th.
entitled "a Wonderful Resurrection" quoted
from the London lancet Of September 9th. re-
latiye to the case of woman fity-three wears
Old who was found hanging eight minutes after
she had been last seen alive suspended by a
cord which encircled her neck. When cut down
the latest known appliances failed to Indicate
the slightest spark of lite: The physician in at
tendance, however resolved to try slow artif-
cial respiratory action. In the course of ten
minutes application Of such action the fafntest
signs OF returning life were observed By means
OF stethoscoDe. The work was continued in
cessantly for two hours before natural breath
ing was sufficiently established to disDense with
the artificial means. Apropos of the need Of
steadtast and hopeful perseverance in efforts to
restore those who have apparently lost their
lives by st7angulation which this lesson teaches
desire TO relate an incident of my own expe-
rience.
While engaged in conversation with relatives.
whom was visiting year ago, was abruptIr
interrupted by the startling information that
the little fye-year-Old daughter of the next
door neghbOr had fallen into q cstern contain
Ing rain water and been drowned Hurriedlv
proceeding TO the spot learned that the body
was still lying in the water. AS soon as pCssi-
bic it was gotten oat and laid face upwards on
the ground. with the hands flxedly extended
beyond the head; then with my hands eyerted
a continuous pressure on the chest in imitation
OF slow breathing motion. The feet We're i'm
mediately barred and large cloth. dipued in
boiling hot water, was held to the soles In
about twenty minutes from the commencement
OF the restorative action we were rewarded by
seeing the little one breathing naturally. and in
Few days she was playing around as well as
ever.
On comparison OF notes It was discovered
by the closest calculation that the child must
have been in the water, which was three feet in
depth. at least i've minutes. When taken out
the body was cold and rigid. the eyes set. the
face OF deathy palOr, and, SO far as ordinary
slgus Indicated, resuscitation was apparently an
impossibllity.
In view OF the surprising success attained In
Inc case OF the woman, by means OF artificial
respiratory action only, would it be unreasona.
Die TO presume that Ii the blood had been forced
to circulate by the application of heat. as in the
case OF the child, that she might have been re-
suscitated in less time than two hours?
The result of suffocation is a suspension al
respiration. Taking tor granted, as matter OF
course In all such cases, that the condition OF
me heart is normal, can any one say positively
tDat asphyxia OF even thirty minutes duration
| might not be overcome?
The possibility of reslscitation In various
cases OF sudden apparent dissolution, resulting
| rom otter causes than those mentioned. is well
worthy OF serious contemplation, in view of In.
stances constantly occurring of persons having
/ been buried alive through ignorance of the at
tendahfs concerning prompt and proper action
Ia any event, what harm can result from q
practical application Of the remedies suggested;
fRABla.