The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-27
First Hid TO Injured
in Mine accidents

From a Lecture Delivered by DR.. George
w. King before the International Mining
Congress at Helena, Mont.
"HE RESUSCITATION of those who
have been overcome and rendered
unconscious by inhalation of poison
Gus gases is necessarily first aid
work. The question of how to accom-
pish this object must be considered. Lit
tie can be done before removal to To-
cation where the air is comparatively
fresh. Then cold water dashed into the
face and friction applied to the limbs VIII
stimulate the resumption of breathing
Should it fail to do so, artificial respira-
tion must be resorted to at once. 1t con-
sists of forcing air into the lungs by imi-
tating the natural act of breathing. The
steps of procedure are as follows: Place
the patient upon his back, with head and
shoulders slightly elevated; loosen the
clothing and cleanse mouth and nostrils;
pull the tongue forward and bring it out
of the angle of the mouth to remove all
obstruction to the entrance of air. The
operator then knecls at the head of the
patient, and reaching forward, grasps the
arms near the elbows, carries them up
in an extended position. This manoeuvre
creates a vacuum in the lungs, allowing
air to enter, the arms are held in this
position for two seconds, and then car
ried downward and pressed firmly
against the sides, forcing air from the
lungs by compression. This to and fire.
movement is kept up at the rate of IA to
Is per minute, until there Is a return of
natural breathing, usually sgnalcd by a
voluntary gasp on the part Of the patient
This is the most reliable of all methods
of restoring suspended animation. caused
hy inhalng carbon dioXidc. Air must be
gotten into the lungs, either by tho force
or natural act of breathing. Otherwise
breathing becomes regular, the inhalation
of oxygen gas may be begun and con-
tinued until the livid color of the skin
becomes less marked, and consciousness
returns. In the absence of the oxygen
gas, stimulants are next to be thought of,
;s soon as there is ability to swallow
Whiskey or aromatic spirits of ammonia
are best Ammonia has the property of
quicker action, but is less durable than
that of alcohol. Shifting the fumes Of
ammonia Is also usefu. When patients
begin to revive, there is apt to he cramp-
ing of the limbs or general commissions
This requires no treatment beyond pro-
tocting them from injuring themselves by
the convulslve movements. The cases
need watching for some hours for 1t may
happen that those who are apparently out
of danger will suffer n relapse and be-
come again unconscious and die if left to
themselves.
TaklnG the practical view that with the
hest equipment and most efficient service
accidents may and do happen, the care
of the injured must be considered with
reference to their immediate necessities.
TO be prepared for emergencies Is the
first essential. This refers to the few
medicines and appliances that may he
needed for temporary use. These arti-
cles should he kept in reserve at the most
accessible station within the mine, and
plain and concise directions for their
proper and legitimate indications posted
in a conspicuous place, that all may have
the privilege of learning how and what
TO do for others in case of need TO avoid
unnecessary complications, the list of ar
ticles must be limited to the actual re-
quirements, enumated, it would appear,
as follows: One-half dozen bandages, 2lA