Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

West Coast Times, Issue 32, 17 August 1865, Page 3

fTIREATMENT OF TIIK APPARENTLY X DROWNED. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Supported by Voluntary Contributions*, Directions for Restoring tho Apparently Drowned. The leading principles of the following Directions for the Restoration of the apparently dead from drowning are founded on those of the. ate»r. Marshall Hull, combined with those of Dr. H. ft. # bilvester, and are the result of extensive inquiries which wore mado by the Institution in 18u«5-4 .amongst medical men, medical bodies, and coroners throughout tho United Kingdom Tliese directions have been extensively circulated by the Institution throughout tho United Kingdom and m the colonies. 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 tho face downward, whether on shore or atloat ; exposing the face, neck, and chest to tho wind, except in severe weather, and removing all tight clothing from the neck and chest, especially the Lraces^ 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 bo commenced immediately and energetically, and persevered in for ono or two hours, or until a wedieal man has pronounced that lifojs extinct. Eflbitsto promote Warmth and Circulation, beyond removing tho web clothes and drying thh skin, must not he made until the first appearance oi\naturnl breathing. For if circulation of tho blood by induced before breathing has recommenced, the restoration to luo will be endangered, \ 11. ' Do Restore Breathi^w. '■> To Clear the Throat.— Place tho pationt on the floor or ground with the face downwards, and one of the arms under tho forehead, in which position all fluids will more readily escape by tho moull^and tho tongue itself will fall forward, leaving tll^ntranco into the windpipe free. Assist this optri-a-tion by wiping and cleansiug tho mouth. To Exoitb Breathing. — Tuvn the patient well and instantly on the sido, supporting tho head> and — i. — inspiration. Exoito the nostrils with snuff, hartshorn, and smelling salts, or tickle the throat with a leather, *0., if they are at hand. Rub the chest and faco warm, and dash cold water, or cold and hot water alternately, on them. If thore be no success, lose not a- moment but instantly \ To Imitate Breathino.— Replace tho pationt on the chest, raising and supporting tho chest weil on a folded coat or other article of dress. \ Turn the body very gently on the side and a littlo beyond, and then briskly on the face, back again ; repeating theso measures cautiously, elliciently, qnd persevoringly about fifteen times in tho minute, lor once every four or five seconds, occasionally varyipg the side. ' [By placing the patient on tho' chest, the weight of the body forces tho air out ; when turned on tho side, this pressure is removed, and air enters the chest. 1 II. — KXPIKATIOS. . On each occasion that the body is replaced on the fnco, make uniform but efficient pressure with brisk movement, on the back between nud below tho shoulder blades or bones on each side ■ removing tho pressure immediately before turnin, ' the body on tho side During the whole of the operation?, let one person tfUt"d ?ololy to the movemonts of 1101 10 head, and ofj the orm"piaKl2; (ler ?'• „ ... A [The first measui^ increaaes . tli o expiratio^iM second coinmencesliKP" at L oo Tn-J T n -J . T^^^H The result is Respiration^^^^^^^^B and, if not too late, Life. Whilst the above operations nre bcf^H^^^H with, dry the hands und feet ; and as soi^i^^H olothing or blankets can bo procured, strip tho b^^ and cover, or gradually reclotho it, but taking caro not to interfere with the efforts to restore breathiug. 111. Should these efforts not pvovo successful in the course of from two to five minutes, proceed to imitate breahing by Dr. Silvester's method, as follows : — Place the patient on tho back on a flat surface, inclined a little upwards from the feet ; raises and support the head and shoulders on a small firm cushion or folded article of dress placed under tho shoulder blades. Draw forward the patient's tongue, and keep it projeotiug beyond tho lips } an elastic band over tho tongue and under tho chin will answer this purpose, or a piece of string or tape may be tied round them, or by raising the lower jaw tho teeth may bo inndo to retain ..tho tongue in that position. Itomovo all tight clothing from about the neck und chest, especially the braces. To Imitate the Movements op Breathing:. — Standing at the patient's head, grasp the arms just above the elbows, and draw tho arms gently and steadily upwards above the head, and keep them stretched upwards for two seconds, (liy this means air is drawn into tho lungs.) Then turn down tho patient's arms, and press them gently and firmly for two seconds against tho sides of the chest. (By this means air is pressed out of the lungs.) Repeat these measures alternately, deliberately, and persevoringly, about fifteen times in a minute, until a epontaneoiiß effort to respire is perceived, immediately upon which cense to imitato the movements of breathing, und proceed to induce Circulation and Warmth. IV. Treatment aftJu Natural Breathing has bken Restored. ' To Promote Warmth and Circulation — Commence rubbing tho limbs upwards, with firm grasping pressure and energy, using handkerchiefs, flannels, &c. : [by this measure tho blood is propelled along the veins towards the heart.] The friction must bo continued undor tho blankot or ovor the dry clothing. Promote tho warmth of tho body by the application of hot flannels, bottles, or bladders of hot water, heated brioks, *c., to tho oit of the stomach, the nrinpita, between the thighs, and to tho soles of the feet. If tho patient has been carried to n house after respiration has been restored, lie careful to lot tho air play freely about the room. On tho restoration of life, a teaspoonful of warm water should be &iven ; and then, if tho power of swallowing have returned, small quantities of wine, warm brandy and water, or coffco, should be administored. The pationt should bo kept in bed, and a disposition to Bleep encouraged. General Observations. Tho above treatment should be persevered in for some hours, as it is an erroneous opinion that persons are irrecoverable becauso life does not soon make ita';appcaranco, poisons having been restored after persevering for many hours. Appearances wiiioh Generally Accompany Death. Breathing and the heart's action ceaso entirely } tho eyelids nro generally half-olosed ; the pupils dilated ; tho jaws olenched ; the fingers semi-con-tracted ; the tongue approaches to the under edge of tho lips, and these, ns well as tho nostrils, are covered with a frothy mucus. Coldness and pallor of surfaco iuqreaso. Cautions. Prevent unnecessary crowding of persons round tho body, especially if in nn apartment. Avoid rough usngo, and do not allow the body to remain on tho back unless tho tongue is secured. Undor no circumstances hold the body up by the feet.' On no account placo the body in a warm bath, unless under niotlicdl direct 'on, and oven then it should only bo employed us a momeutaiy excitant. By order of tho Conjuiitteo, Riohard Lkwis, Secretftijr,