The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-06
IN CASES OF DROWNING.
What a Physician Says About What
Should be Done.
From the Washington Star.

From the Washington StGr.
A reporter, in talking with a weli-known
physician of this city concerning recent
cases of drowning reported in the Potomac
and canal, picked up some very valuable
suggestions about rendering prompt aid
under such circumstances
"a great deal has been said and published
by way Of advice" said he, ''but not more
than should be- Indeed, too much cannot
be said nor advice too often published, for
with the numerous excursions from Wash
ington down the river and 70 the seashore,
the danger of drowning is constant and
cases common. A large portion Of the
deaths reported could have been averted by
following simple, practical plans Of resus-
citation had there been any one present who
knew what to do. If newspapers like the
STAR" he earnestly urged, (which are read
by everybody. would frequently publish
articles on the subject, even If they had to
republish the same thing, which, however,
is not at all necessary, they would be the
direct cause of saving the lives of many of
the victims. | gather everything | can
upon this and kindred subjects in the line
of accidents, such as fainting, burns, sun
strokes, etc.
HOW PEOPLE ARE DROWNED.
Drowning" said the doctor, sis the
Iboulb VI Ouo VI <~CWO COnulLlOuS. Ouo Is
from the shock of the accident producing
heart failure or fainting. The other is
where the unfortunate has fought against
fate and has been suffocated by taking
water into the lungs and stomach. The
first condition is shown by the pale, aShy
and fiabby appearance of an ordinary case
of faintlng, and the other by livid, dark
colored look of suffocation. Too many
people imagine that when a person has
haou fa kan from "a after S1pEinov no
last time life is extinct for good and
all, but this Is not the case. Many have
been taken out some time after disappear
ance and brought to life again by simple,
practical means, while others have been
taken out under similar conditions. and the
remaining germs of life allowed TO slip
away when they could have been saved.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT 1T.
when a person is taken from the water
within anything like reasonable length of
time loosen everything about the Ieck,
chest and waist, wipe out the mouth and
throat thoroughly, as far as possible, with
handkerchief, roll up coat or anything
and lay the body, face downward, the chest
and upper part of the stomach upon the
bundle, and the forehead resting upon the
forearm near the wrist Make firm pressure
between and below the shoulders to force
any water out of the lungs and stomach
Then turn the body on the back, and, if the
appearance is from fainting, fasten the
tongue in the front of the mouth by hold
ing it with a dry cloth or by slipping rub
Der band over it and the lower Jaw or do
anything that will hold it and keep it from
falling back into the throat to prevent
breathing. Cautiously pass ammonia under
the nose, if at hand, or tickle the nose or
mouth with something, dash cold water in the
face suddenly. or slap the face sharply. The
1hS - > -
which is done continue the ammonia care
fully or the slapping of the face. When
breathing Is established proceed with pro-
motion Of warmth and circulation by ap-
plication of hot water bottles or something
very hot, well wrapped to prevent burning
the skin. Hot saod bags or warm, dry
blankets will answer.
after rubbing the limbs upward toward
the heart to encourage the venous blood to
return to its source the careful administra-
ton of stlmulants is in order This should
be about a teaSpoonful of whisky in a table
spoonful of hot water every few minutes
until taken six or eight times. Do not move
the patient, If possible, until strength is
well established, and only then so far as is
absolutely necessary.
WHEN DROWNED FROM SUFFoCATIoN.
when the victim has been drowned by
suffocation there are two ways by which
artificial respiration may be produced.
One is known as the Marshall Hall and the
other as the Sylvester method.
THE MARSHALL HALL METHOD
is as follows: Proceed as in case of faint
drowning until the water has boon run out
of the body. Several should assist The
body should then be turned over say three
fourths around to the left and returned to
! its face-downward position. Put consider
able pressure with the hands on the back
six inches below the shoulders remove pres
sure suddenly and roll the body over on left
side again and back Continue this
process at the rate of about fifteen
to a minute for ten minutes and then
stop to see if there is any effort on the part
of the patient to breathe. If so, encourage
by the face slapping or ammonia applied as
directed. If the breathing does not begin,
keep the movement up for hours, occasion
ally varying from left to right side. Per-
| sons have been resuscitated after four or five
hours of Inconsistencies. When breathing
is established proceed, as in case of faint
drowning, to stimulate the system, prod ice
warmth and encourage circulation. If a
person is not absolutely stiff when taken
from the water there is chance of resusci-
tation.
THE SYLVESTER METHOD
is to proceed as in other ways TO get the
water from the stomach and then to lay tie
patient on the back with the bundle under
the back below the shoulders, which will
throw the chest we'll forward. Then, kneel-
ing at the head, one should take both arms
just below the elbows and draw them back
over the head nearly to the ground then
return arm to place on chest and ribs and
make firm pressure. Suddenly remove
pressure and repeat movement for ten min
utes, fifteen times to the minute. Stop
then and see if any breathing takes place.
II not. do not give up the case for hours.
Too many people have been lost by giving
up too soon.
UNDER OTHER CONDITIONS.
"The same treatment can be successfully
administered in cases Of gas poisoning, at
tempted suicide by hanging or chloroform-
ing, or when breathing has suddenly ceased
from any unknown cause. In all cases of
accident send for a physician and go to
work as above suggested. In cases of
drowning also order at once dry clothes and
blankets and materials for hot applications,
but don't wait a moment for anythirg-go
to work as outlined-the great object being
to get a start in the right direction.
If every reader of the Star, said the
doctor, would cut this advice out as pub
llshed and keep it at hand or study the lines
laid down many who are allowed to die
could be saved. Some years ago you printed
some valuable interviews with Dr. Gardner
of the Washington barracks nearly in the
same line, which received great deal of
favorable comment, and now as cases Of