Evening star., 1927-02-06
FIRST AID FOR GAS VICTIMS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

In a recent article on carbon
monoxide poisoning the statement
was made that in case of an accident
of that nature the thing to do was
to summon a physician at once and
then make an effort to secure from the
most readily available source one of
the machines that are used to resus-
citate persons overcome by gas or
other poisonous fumes D@ -
That there is something else to
be done in the way of first aid that
Is exceedingly important is asserted
by Alexander Forward, managing d.
rector of the American Gas Associa-
ton, and he ought to know what he
Is talking about since his organ
ization created committee on re-
suscitation from gas asphyxiation,
composed of some of the most emil
nent authorities In the United States.
and has given wide circulation to the
recommendations of the experts. Mr.
Forward and his company are inter
ested because they control large
number of gas companies through
out the country and 1t is a matter OF
great importance that every man
identified with their organization
should know what to do in such
emergencies.
DIR. Cecil h. Drinker, associate pro-
fessor of applied physiology OF the
Medical School of Harvard Universi-
ty. was the chairman of the commit
tee that made an exhaustive study
of the subject. His associates were DR.
Walter B. Cannon, professor of physl-
ology of the same school; DR.. David
r, EdsaIl. the dean of that school: DR..
Howard w. Haggard and Dr. Yam
dell Henderson, both of Yale Univer-
sity and both consulting psychologists
to the United States Bureau OF Mines;
DR.. Lawrence ]. Henderson and DIR.
Francis w. Peabody, both of the Har-
ward Medical School; DR.. Royd II:
Savers, chief surgeon of the United
States Bureau of Mines and a surgeon
of the Public Health Service, and
Charles B. Scott of the accident pre-
vention committee of the American
Gas Association.
The conclusions reached by group
Of such recognized leaders of their
professions are accepted without ques-
ton by physicians everywhere. Lay
men will do well to read and learn.
The Prone Pressure, Method.
The report explains that the reason
that automobile exhaust gas, the gases
from coal heating furnaces, the smoke
gas blast furnace gas, carbureted
water gas, coal gas and other manu-.
featured gases are poisonous IL ac-
fualIv breathed is that they all CON
tain carbon monoxide. When carbon
monoxide is breathed 1t combines
with the blood and the victim becomes
asnhvxiated lust as If he were being
grad duallv choked to death. As low
as one-tenth of per cent OF carbon
monoxide. or even less, Will KIN
man in time; / per cent will Kill IN
a few minutes. -t- s.~ cN.
When man is overcome by gas.
= is stated the first thing to do is to
qet him into fresh air quickly. Fresh
air does not mean out OF doors in
cold weather. Many men have
walked from a warm room containing
gas only to collapse in the cold air
outside Take the patient to a room
sras from gas and comfortably warm.
Re quick, but don't be unnecessarily
rough.
# the patient is not breathing or
his breathing stops, start artlhciai
respiration at once by the prone
pressure method. And mere Is the
noint that Mr.. Forward stresses
don't wait for a physician or any ap-
naratus or any one or anything else.
Get to work with your own hands!
delay of even minute may be
fatal.
The prone pressure method---known
as the Schafer methods urged as
the best method for artificial respira-
tion--better than any method using
a mechanical device. If the victim
is breathing, an artificial respiration
apparatus may injure him. IL he Is
not breathing. he may die while you
are getting the apparatus or getting
ready to use it, II is the opinion of
the committee that such apparatus
has led to the deaths of more people
than 1t has saved. =
Now, here is how you go about
prone pressure resuscitation: AS soon
as the victim lis clear of the gas feel
with your finger In his mouth and
| throat and remove any foreign body,
such as chewing gum, tobacco, false
teeth and the like. Do not stop to
| loosen his clothing. Lay him on his
| tummy, one arm extended directly
over his head, the other bent at the
elbow and with face to one side, rest
| ing ON the hand or forearm, so that
the nose and mouth ARE, free for
breathing. Kneel straddling the patient