The Washington herald., 1911-04-02
By TONY SOUSA.

By TONY SOUSA.
While the arden+ advocates of aquatic
sports arc engaged in such pfeasurable
diversions as rowing, sailing and motor
boating it might be we'll to remind them
that caution is mans armor." Spills
are frequent and ofttimes disastrous,
therefore. every one who travels the
waters should at all times be on the
alert to prevent accidents.
Eminent medical men declare that many
who arc drowned might have been saved
if prompt and proper treatment had been
rendered. Before The season begins in
earnest it might be we'll TO gain as
much information as possible about the
best methods of resuscitation of those
apparently drowned.
The familiar theory that VIC drown be-
cause our lungs fill with water has prov
en- fallacious. a commission. appointed
by the English government. and headed
by Prof Schaeffer. of Edinburgh, re-
Gently performed a thorough and elab-
orate series of experiments on animals,
with some distinctly interesting and
valuable results. First of all, it was
found that death by drowning is not
due to the filling of the air passages
with water, as many Of the animals ex-
perimented on were found. upon cX-
animation Immediately after death. to
have drawn into their lungs water in
amounts ranging from four to eight
ounces only from one>third of a cupful
to cupfuD. In some instances. death
occurred when only two ounces of water
had been drawn into the lungs
Tho chief cause of death appeared first
to be a curious inhibiting or paralyzinS
effect upon the heart. This was quite
apart from the direct effect upon respira-
tion, so much so that it could actually
be prevented by administering a drug
(atrupin). which stimulated the heart.
and prevented the transmission of this
curious reflex paraiyzinG effect AS Prof.
Schaeffer dryly remarked:
IF you are quite sure you are going
to be drowned. it is a good thing to
take a dose of atropin in advance
The individual whom il is desired to
resusctate is promptly and without
moments delay in either looseninS cloth
ing, drying. warming, or shaking the
water out of the lungs, turned upon his
stomach upon the shore, or level place.
the face being turned to one side, so
that the nose and mouth are clear of the
ground. Then the operator kneeis, either
by the side of or astride of the patients
hips. facing toward his head places both
outspread hands upon the small of the
back. just over the shortest ribs, and
pitches his body and shoulders forward
so as to bring the whole weight heavily
upon the body of the victim.
This downward pressure should take
about three seconds. He then swings
upward. lifting his hands off suddenly
and quickly The elasticity of the ribs
and of the contents of the abdomen
cause the chest to expand. In three
seconds more the process is repeated,
and So on, indefinitely. making ten or
twelve Of these movements per minute.
The position allows the tongue to fall
forward, and any mucuS or water which
may be present in the lungs readily 10
escape through the mouth.
By simply swinging backward and for
ward, throwing the weight of his body
upon the waist line of the victim. any
cperator of modern intelligence, and of
most moderate strength. can gain A suf-
fcient inflow of air, flowing in and out
through the lungs of the patient to sup
ply him with as much air as would be
taken in if he were able to breathe
voluntarily Promptness in beginning the
pumping operation is imperative. Prof.
Schaeffer's experiments proved that con-
Clusivcly.
This method. which has only recently
been thoroughly worked out, has been
adopted by the Royal Humane Society of
England the Royal Life Saving So
ciety, and the Coastguard Service. and
many of the life-saving stations along
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Charlie wayson has refurnishcd and re-
FURNISHED his forty-five-foot auxiliary
cruiser Mineoa. and plans TO take
cruise around the Chesapeake next month
for two or three weeks.
\ "self-starter' is the newest device
seen on boats this season. 1t is designed
to start the motor regardless of weather
conditions or length OF time the motor
has remained idle. Quite a number are
being installed.
Otto Pfeiffer. of the Capital Yacht
Club, had two fine searchlights stolen
from his boat recently. The police re-
covered the lamps. and he received a
mysterious letter suggesting reward. He
failed TO heed the demand and week
later the searchlights were stolen again
Respectfully referred to Mai Sylvester.
The Emerson Engine Company, of
Alexandria. are equipping power boat
for Mr.. Du Pont, of Wilmington. Del.
that is expected to do better than forty
five miles an hour This will be one of
for the defense of the Harmsworth
Trophy.
Boston and New York have their power
boat shows. Why not Washington?
Gene Bradley. Of the Capital Yacht
Club. asserts that a san on . power