Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

West Coast Times, Issue 31, 15 August 1865, Page 4

rnREATMENT OF THE APPARENTLY -L DROWNED. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Supported by Voluntary Contributions, Directions for Restoring tbo Apparently Drowned. Tho leading principles of tho following Directions for the Restoration of the apparently dead from drowning are founded on those of the late Dr. Marshall Hall, combined with those of Dr. H. R, Silvester, and are the result of extensive inquiries whioh were inado by the Institution in 1863-4 amongst medical men, medical bodies, and coroners throughout tho United Kingdom. These Directions have been extensively circulated by the Institution throughout the United Kingdom and in the C olonies. They are also in use in Her Majesty's Fleet, and in the Coast-guard Service. I. Send immediately for medical assistance, blankets, and dry clothing, but proceed to treat the patient instantly on the spot, in the open air, with the face downward, whether on shoro or aflpat ; exposing the face, neck, and chest to tbe wind, except in severe weather, and removing all tight olothing from the neck nndebest, especially the braces. Tho points to bo aimed at are— first and immediately, the Restoration of Breathing ; and secondly, after breathing is restored, the Promotion of Warmth and Circulation. The efforts to restore Breathing must be commenced immediately and energetically, and perse* vered in for one or two hours, or until a medical man has pronounced that life is oxtinot. Efforts to promote Warmth and Circulation, beyond removing the wet clothes and drying the skin, must not be mnde until the first appearance of natural breathing. For if circulation of the blood be induced before breathing has recommenced, the restoration to lifo will be endangered. * 11. To Restore Breathing. To Clear the Throat,— Place the patient on the floor or ground with the face downwards, and one of the arms under the forehead, in which position all fluids will more readily escape by the mouth, and the tongue itself will fall forward, leaving the entrance into the windpipe free. Assist this operation by wiping and cleansing the mouth. To Exoitb Breathing.— Turn the patient well and instantly on the side, supporting the head, and — I. — INSPIRATION. Excite the nostrils with snuff, hartshorn, and smolling salts, or tiokle tbe throat with a feather, drc., if they are at hand. Rub the chest and face warm, and dash cold wator, or cold and hot water alternately, on them. If there be no success, lose not a moment but instantly To Imitate Breathing. — Replaco the patient on the chest, raising and supporting the cheat well on a folded coat or other article of dress. Turn the body very gently on the side and a little beyond, and thon briskly on the face, back again ; iepeating these measures cautiously, efficiently, and perseveringly about fifteen times in the minute, or once every four or five seconds, occasionally varying tbo side. [By placing the patient on the chest, the weight of the body forces tho air out ; when turned on the side, this pressure is - removed, and air enters the chest.] II.— EXPIRATION. On eacli occasion that the body is replaced on the face, make uniform but oftioient pressure with brisk movement, on the back between and below tho shoulder blades or bones on each side, removing the pressure immediately before turning the body on tho side. During the whole of the operations let ono person attend solely Jto the movements of the head, and of the arm placed under it. [The first measure increases tho expiration — the second commences inspiration.] The result is Respiration, or Natural Breathing — and, if not too late, Lifo. Whilst the above operations are being proceeded with, dry the hands and feet ; and as soon as dry clothing or blankets can be procured, strip the body and cover, or gradually reclothe it, but taking care not to interfere with the efforts to restore breathing, 111. Should these efforts not prove successful in the course of from two to five minutes, proceed to imitate brealn'ng by Dr. Silvester's mothod, as follows :— Place the patient on the back on a flat surface, inclined a little upwards from tho feet; raise and support the head and shoulders on a small firm cushion or folded article of dress placed under the shoulder blades. Draw forward the patient's tongue, and keep it projecting beyond the lips ; an elastio band over tho tongue and under the chin will answer this purpose, or a piece of string or tape may be tied round them, or by raising tho lower jaw tho teeth may be made to retain the tongue in that position. Remove all tight clothing from about tho neck and chest, especially the braces. To Imitate the Movements ov Breathing. — Standing at the patient's head, grasp tho arms just above the elbows, and draw the arms gently and steadily upwards above the head, and keep them stretched upwards for two seconds. (By this means air is drawn into tho lungs.) Then turn down the patient's anna, and press them gently and firmly for two seconds against the sides of the chest. (By this means air is pressed out of the lungs.) Repeat these measures alternately, deliberately, and perseveringly, about fifteen times in a minute, until a spontaneous effort to respire is perceived, immediately upon whioh cease to imitate, the movements of breathing, and proceed to induce Circulation and Warmth. IV. Treatment aftfr Natural Breawhno has dben Restored. To Promote Warmth and Circulation — Commenco rubbing tho limbs upwards, with firm grasping pressure and energy, using handkerchiefs, flannels, &o. : [by this measure the blood is propelled along the veins towards the heart.] The Motion must bo continued under the blanket or ovor the dry olothing. Promote the warmth of the body by the application of hot flannels, bottles, or bladders of hot water, heated bricks, Ac, to tho pit of the stomach, tho armpite, between the thighs, and to the soles of tho feet, If the patient has been carried to a house after respiration has been restored, be careful to lot the air play freely about tho room. On the restoration of life, a teaspoonful of warm water should bo given ; and then, if the power of swallowing havo returned, small quantities of wine, warm bruudy aud water, or coffee, should be administered. Tho patient should be kept in bed, and a disposition to sleep encouraged. General. Observations. Tho above treatment should bo persevered in for some hours, as it is an erroneous opinion that persons are irrecovorablo because life does not soon roako its appearanco, porsons having been restored aftor persevering for many hours. Appearanoes whioh Generally Accompany Death. Breathing and the heart's action cease entirely j tho eyelids aro generally half-closed ; tho pupils dilated ; the jaws clenched ; the fingers semi-con-traoted ; the tongue approaches to tho under edge of tho lips, and these, as woll as tho nostrils, are covered with a frothy inuous, Colduess and pallor of surfaco inoroase. Cautions. Provent unnecessary crowding of porsons round the body, especially if in an apnrtmont. Avoid rough usage, aud do not allow tho body to remain on the back unless tho tonguo Is secured. Undor no clroumstances hold tho body up by the feet. On no account place tho body in a warm bath, unless under medical direction, and evon thon it should only bo omployed aa a raomoutary oxoitant. By order of the Cominittco, Eiouard Lewis, Secretary.