The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-21
NATURAL METHODS VERSUS BREATHING
 MACHINES

Speaking of methods of restoring respiration when breathing has failed, a distinguished sur geon said he was reminded of an experience of a physician in prison who used pulmo- tor for patient who collapsed. Six months after the patient was buried 1t was found that someone had substituted a nitrous oxide Caughing gas) cylinder for the oxygen cylin- der in the machine
 That was no fault of the machine, but it was
 significant enough. As the surgeon remarked. with mouth-to mouth insufflation you will not | make any such mistake s,. tt For certain cases of paralysis the Drinker | cabinet breathing apparatus is invaluable, of course, for with this breathing machine arti- fcial respiration may be continued without in- terruption for days or weeks if necessary, whereas it would be virtually impossible Eit to chine or by hand, so long without exaustion of the patient.
 All other breathing machines, such as pull motors or lungmotors, are not only less effec- tive than natural methods but they are more dangerous to the patient, even in the hands of trained physicians or surgeons In the hands of fremen or policemen these machines are dead ly, and the municipality that authorizes or permits the use of such machines by such first aid crews lays itself open to claims for dam ages when the relatives or heirs of the de- ceased get postmortem evidence of the violence upon the lungs.
 An inhalator. a mere rubber bag in which oxygen and carbon dioxid gas may be mixed for the victim to inhale, is the only machinery | or apparatus which is justifable in any case of | asphyxiation by gas, smoke or fumes, or in any case of drowning electric shock This should be used in conjunction with natural or manual methods that the victim may have the advan- tage of the per cent carbon dioxid mixture in oxygen or air. The carbon dioxid is power | full stimulus to breathing; pure oxygen is not. Mouth to mouth insufflation gives the vic- tim perhaps per cent carbon dioxid in air. | So this method should be resorted to, in con- | junction with prone pressure or other manual method, in any case. Place plain towel over
 the patients month, or few layers of gauge or clean handkerchief, gently pinch his nos- trils together with your thumb and finger, take | a deep breath while the operator bears down on the patients chest, and then blow into the
 mouth when the operator leans back to rest. Repeat this for several minutes if necessary It | Is nearly if not quite as effective as is the use of the inhalator with prone pressure respira- tion. It is not dangerous, for it is scarcely pos sible to produce excessive pressure in the lungs of adult by this means; you might do harm | by blowing too hard into the mouth of a baby. It is high time for intelligent communities to scrap these spectacular breathing machines and cut out the Toonervlile comedy of the flremen with their gadgets to the scene of an emerg- | encyf even brushing aside physicians in their eagerness to have their pictures in the paper. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Another Temporary Miracle They call him a miracle healer. He diagnoses of automobiles wait along the street before his house daily, people who come from distant places. He is also clairvoyant. (Mrs H. Mo Answer-The moronic portion of the popu-
 
 often. If this particular bird did not pretend to | have supernatural 'clairvoyant" powers, the | suckers wouldn't have much faith in him. Overworlk Is Overworlxed I suffered from slight stroke of paralysis | brought on from overwork and mental strain | (B. ID. O.
 Answer--Don't try to kid me. brother. The | "overwork" and 'brain strain" stuff may be | all right to give out to the nosey neighbors | But know better.
 | Troubles We May Talk About Please tell me where one can get the book
 "Troubles We Don't Talk About" by a Dl
 Montague. which you recommended. GA. M) Answer-Published by Lippincott's, Phila- 1 delphia, $2. Any book dealer will procure Il
 for you. Your public library probably has 1t. Mother Is Dee-Luded | Since arrived at my eighteenth birthday i( | pounds overweight, mother insists that eons | kind of corset is necessary to prevent me iron | spreading out" Please advise me about this
 am employed at sedcntary office work, ant | my afvortic recreation is just reading. (A. L) | Answer--The day you begin wearing thu | corset say c fond good bye to all your youth | full trimness or grace. I advice you to go or | without the corset and give more thought tt
 your physical training--swimming playini
 ular daily homo gymnastics. will best help yot
 to keep trim.
 spectacIes Make Him Sore
 Can you suggest s0me substance to hardei the skin over brdgc of nose and behind th!
 ears s0 ! can wear my glasses comfortabiy' (D. .. E.l
 Answer--No. Better change the frames ts
 anether type, co that the friction and pressure lWili oomA At ether piaoon,