HEALTH NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5352, 16 November 1928, Page 4

HEALTH NOTES.

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION.

HOW LIVES CAN BE SAVED.

(Contributed by tbe Department of

Health.)

Many persons apparently de;ad from drowning, .from electric shock, or from the effect of smoke or such poisonous gas as illuminating gas or the exhaust from automobile engin.es, may be saved if natural breathing is stimulated by means of artificial respiration. Lives a.re lost each year becuse of failure to use promptly this very simple method of saving life.

Many persons believe, states: an overseas health bulletin, that o.n|ly electric workers and other persons exposed to very powerful electric currents are in danger of electric, shock. It is possible, however, to be seriously shocked by such currents as those, used in lighting houses ajid operating electric devices. There are alsq the dangers of lightning and of fallen high voltage wires. There is present ip illuminating gas, and 1 in the; exhaust from automobiles, mixed with other, gases, a poisonous gas c,ailed carbon monoxide. This poison; is colourless ;a,nd practically dburless, an,d so cannot be detected by sight or smell. The gas suffocates its victims by taking the place of oxygen in the •blood, and the recovery of the victim depends upon the replacement of. the poison with, oxyg.en. This poisonous carbon monoxide is given off in| such large quantities that tlhe air in a small closed garage will be very dangerous after the; engine has been running less than five, minutes. No one should ever run an automobile in a snfall garage without having all the ventilation possible, neither should anyone working under a ear with its engine; running unless for a very S'hqrt time and then with an assistant near. Deaths have occurred in closed cars warmed by the heat from the engine due to the exhaust leaking through. Deaths also have been due to the careless use. of cocking stoves, to leaky gas tubings, to loose gas fixtures and valves. Not all victims of electric shcjck or of gas poisoning lose consciousness or stop breathing, an,d unless breathing has stopped there is no need for artificial respiration. Not all victims of drowning, shock, or gas poisoning can be resuscitated, but unless it is beyond doubt that rigpr mortis (stiffening in death) has set in, artificial respiration should be attempted. Iff numerous cases breathing has been restored only after several hours of artificial respiration. HOW TO HANDLE VICTIM. Drowning.—lf a victim is one of drowning dq not roll him on 4 barrel; if possible lay his body with this head and chest lower than his feet; don’t try to empty water out of him, but start respiration. Electric Shock. —If a victim of electric shock, carefully free him from the current if ihe is .still in contact with it. If you can, shut off the current at switch, or grouujd it, between the source of power and the victim. If you remove, the electric conductor, for. example, a wire, use a dry, non-conductor, such 4s wbcjd, a rope, a clqth, or rubber glovep. Don’t use metal. If you have to cut a live wire use a tool with a wooden Don’t grasp a conductor, yourself. If a victim’s clothing is dry drag him away by grasping his clqthes, not his bare skin. Stand on a dry board. Avoid puddles of water. Use one hand, or if possible cine foot.

Gas PoisCjing.—lf the victim is one of gas poisoning, carry or drag him to fresh air, but not to c,old air outside. Don’t try* to walk him about. Don’t venture into; an atmosphere known to be deadly without the; protection of a mask and air-line, or. of an oxygen mask, or in emergency without a life-line held by an assistant. A cloth tied over your mc;uth and nose is useless. ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION.

When the victim is out of the water or free from electrical contact, or cut of the poisonous atmosphere, if breathing has stopped, follow these instructions even if t'he victim appears to be dead. The method is the same for. cases of drowning, electric shock, gas poisoning. Don’t try to ( use two methods. If breathing does not quickly commence do as follow’s and send for a. :— 1. Quickly feel with your finger in his mouth a.n.d' throat and remove any obstruction to breathing. If the mouth is tight shut pay no attention toj it nutil later. Don’t attempt to pry the jaws open. Do not lose a moment’s time, Satrt artificial breathing.

2. Lay the patient on his front with arms extended. Turn his face to one side so that the nose and) mouth are free for breathing. Kneel astride or to onq side, facing the head. Place your hands on the .‘small of his back, one on each side, with the thumbs porallel and near.lv touching. Bend forward and bring yqur weight to bear on your wrists; make steady, firm, downward pressure thus while you count slowly one, two. Rend backwards to epse the pressure while you again count slowly one, two. Continue this pressing and easing, counting cjne, two, for eadh movement until the patient begins to breathe. 3. As soon as this artificial respiration has been started; and while St is being continued, aji assistant s Would loosen any tight c.lothipg about the patient’s neck, chjest. or waist. Keep the patient warm. Use or clothing, and possibly hot-water > bottles carefully 'wrapped to prevent burning the; patient’s skint

4. Continue artificial reispirption: without interruption, until natural breathing is restoredI—if 1 —if necessary four hours or- longer, or until the victim’s b'ody is wholly stiff and cold. If natural breathing stops -after being restore*], use artificial respiration again. M-enl breathing when brought out of gas or after electric, shock may suddenly stop breathing. Watteh your, patient carefully and continue, 'usly. . 5. Do not give any fluid fc y the mouth to an umconsdous piitlent. When he is conscious he; may be , given hot, strong, black coffiee. Keen him warm ; keep him tjuiet and plying down.