The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-10-10
Resuscitation From Mine Gases

The report of the committee on resuscitaton from mine gases, ap-
pointed by the council on health and public instruction of the American
Medical association at the request of the federal bureau of mines, has
just been published by the bureau. This commission, which grew out
of the work of the joint committee OF resuscitahon from electrical
shock, appointed by the council from the fellows of the American
Medical association, the National Electric Light association and the
American Institute of Electrical Engineers, consists of DR.. Walter B.
Cannon, chairman, professor of physiology, Harvard university; DIR.
George w. Grille, Cleveland; DR.. Joseph Erlanger, professor of physi-
ology, Washington university, St. Louis; DR.. Yandell Henderson, pro-
fessor of physiology, Yale university, and DR.. S. J. Metzer of the
Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. This committee was re-
quested by the director of the bureau of mines to carry on Investigations
for the development of an efficient method of resusctation which may
be administered by miners and other persons who have the oppor-
tunity to treat fellow workmen overcome by mine gases in places, gen
orally in mines, that a physician r surgeon cannot reach in time to
save life.
The committee reports that it has visited mnes in the bituminous
and anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, has met and talked with
men of wide practical experience, witnessed demonstrations of artificial
respiration BY different methods and examined them critically, studied
all the available mechanical devices for maintaining breathing and car
red on a considerable amount of experimental investigation into the
best methods of resuschation following the inspiration of mine gases.
The report reviews the physiology and pathology of carbon
monoxid poisoning, discusses the Sylvester and Schafer methods Of
artificial respiration and, following the course laid out in the previous
report n resuscitaton from electrical shock, strongly recommends the
Schafer method on account of greater simplicity and ease OF perform
ance, absence of trouble from the tongue blocking the air passage
lessened danger of injuring the liver Or breaking the RIBS and larger
ventilation of the lungs. The first three of these advantages were ap-
parent. On the fourth point, larger ventilation, the ommlssion IN
sttuted a series of experiments both on me and animals which con
vinced the committee that the prone pressure method of Schater is the
most effective means of artificial respiration.
Summing up its experience and findings, the committee recon-
mends artificial respiration in all cases or gas poisoning and, as me
chanical devices art seldom at hand, manual methods are recommended
for first aid. OF these the prone pressure method is recommended I'M
less the patient is suffering from some local wound which makes this
impossible, in which case the Sylvester method may be substituted. In
all cases of carbon monoxid poisoning, oxygen should be given instead
of air. If the victim is still breathing spontaneously, oxygen may be
given by fastening to the face a mask provided with outlet valve and
an inlet valve, connected with a bag provided with oxygen from a
cylinder. The Meltzer apparatus is recommended as the best of the
mechanical devices available.
This report together with the report o II resuschaton from cleo
.trnal shock are notable and valuable contributions to our practical and
scientific knowledge of the causes, conditions and treatment of these
industrial accidents. The Electrical World at the time the report of the
committee on resusctation from electrical shock was published, re
printed this report in large quantities and distributed them to electrical
plants, power-houses and stations all over the country. They have been
translated into a number of foreign languages and are recognized as
standard and authoritative monographs on this subject The report of
the committee on resuscitation from nine gases is equally valuable and
worthy of a similar widespread distribution.