The Schalfer System.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 May 1910, Page 4

The Schalfer System.

OF REANIMATING THE APPAR-

ENTLY DROWNED

A writer in the Melbourne "Argus" supplies in short form all necessary particulars of ithe Schaefer system:—

Tho knowledge of rescue work, where danger from drowning impends, is complete without a word as to the last emergency treatment. A dozen plans for the recovery of people who are apparently drowned have been suggested with inlniite detail as to getting the water out of the lungs, and restoring warmth .to the body, buit they can all be narrowed down into ithe simple modern method known its the Schaefer system, A very slight knowledge of physiology shows us that the best way of warming the body is Ito restore ithe fleeting the breath. The lungs and heart, in their subtle mehanisin, their perfect chemistry, do all itlio rest—so that to ru)b ithe body, to force spirits down the throat, to do the score of (things that convention has impressed upon us for generations, is just waste of time until breath has been given back. It is very simple, the Schaefer plan, and yet in the first treatment of critical eases it does all that is required. You just place the patient face downwards, his arms extended outward and upward at any angle of 4odeg. from the shoulder, and turn the head slightly to one side, so that tho mouth is open and free to breathe. In that attitude, don't trouble about the tongue. It drops forward into its natural position, and does not clog the windpipe. Then get behind the patient, place your palms open and widespread over the elastic lower ribs of the hody, the thumbs a few inches apart, and close to the backbone. Press downward and forward with the whole weight of your body, gently and firmly, and the elastic ribs are squeezed inward against the lungs. The first motion frees 'them of water, becauso with the (body in. that .position there is a natural downward drainage from the lungs to the mouth. When you have pressed the ribs in, release the pressure suddenly, so that they spring back again into their natural position. Count up to four fairly quickly, and then apply the pressure again. Keep on in this way until you have reached twelve pressures, then rest for ten seconds, and go on again. Don't give up for an hour at least. There may be still a spark of life flickering under your hands —a •hum'an soul on ithe edge of eternitySo simple a plan cannot be too widely known, because a resolute boy can apply it to the strongest man, but if a woman is under treatment it is just 'as .well to loosen some of the tight clothing about the waist and chest.