then draw it along down each side of the
back. Apply mustard-plasters to the legs.
But all these things should be got ready
and done by the secondary assistant or as-
sistants. If a person cut down from hang-
ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION.
ing does not breathe, he should be laid on
his back on the floor or ground, wherever
he is, without loss of time. A roll of cloth-
ing, like a round knapsack, should be placed
under his shoulders ; and then artificial
respiration should be attempted, by Sil-
vester's method. See Drowning.
Drowning. — One whole minute under
water will, except with a few practised
divers, end life in a human being. Still, by
active means, those longer immersed,
as much as five minutes, have been
restored. It is always worth while
and right to give every drowned person
the benefit of the doubt, and to work
over him for at least an hour, even if
no signs of life appear, before giving
him up. Drowning kills by exclusion
of air from the blood in the lungs ;
water taking its place. This is said
to be an easy mode of death. Those
recovered from it describe it as a sort
of dreamy sleep, followed by entire un
consciousness.
A person has been, we will suppose, a
few minutes under water, and is dragged
out. At once, on the spot, lay him first on
his stomach, and raise his feet a little higher
than his head, for a few moments ; some
one at the same time pressing with moderate
force on the sides of the chest. The object
of this is to let water flozv out, if it will,
from the lungs.
Next, lay the patient on his back, and
put under his shoulders a roll of clothing,
such as a rolled-up overcoat, a hard pillow,
etc. Draw out his tongue,
,with a thumb and finger,
and get some one to hold it
until it can be fixed forward ,
to prevent it from falling
back and closing the en-
trance to the windpipe.
For this fixation a small
india-rubber band will be
best. If none such is on
^r^hand, a paper-cutter, or a
It- small stick, may be held
upon the drawn-out tongue,
pressing it upon the lower
teeth.
Now comes the effort to
produce artificial respira-
tion. Silvester's method is the best.
Stand or kneel behind his head, and
take hold of his arms just above the elbows.
Draw them both gently and steadily up-
wards, over and back of the head, at their
full length ; and keep them there for a
second or so. Then carry them back again
to the patient's sides, and press the elbows
firmly against his sides, for another second
or so. Go on doing this, perse veringly.
ARTIFICIAI. RESPIRATION
if necessary, for an hour or more. The
object of it is, to promote expansion of
the lungs to admit air, by the first move-
ment; and its expansion, again ])y the
second movement.
Meanwhile, another assistant should cut
the clothing so as to remove it, rub the skjn
dry, and cover the body with warm flannel.
541
7^
THE FAMIL Y DOCTOR
The legs may be rubbed briskly, iipzvard, so
as to favor the return of blood in the veins
to the heart. Smelling-salts may be now
and then held for a few moments under the
nostrils. If a fire be near, heat a small flat-
iron, or a poker, or shovel, not quite to the
burning point, but pretty hot, and touch it
gently, again and again, to the skin over the
pit of the stomach. This is a powerful
mode of stimulation.
Page 216
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
then draw it along down each side of the back. Apply mustard-plasters to the legs. But all these things should be got ready and done by the secondary assistant or assistants. If a person cut down from hang-
ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION.
ing does not breathe, he should be laid on his back on the floor or ground, wherever he is, without loss of time. A roll of clothing, like a round knapsack, should be placed under his shoulders ; and then artificial respiration should be attempted, by Silvester's method. See Drowning.
Drowning. — One whole minute under water will, except with a few practised divers, end life in a human being. Still, by active means, those longer immersed, as much as five minutes, have been restored. It is always worth while and right to give every drowned person the benefit of the doubt, and to work over him for at least an hour, even if no signs of life appear, before giving him up. Drowning kills by exclusion of air from the blood in the lungs ; water taking its place. This is said to be an easy mode of death. Those recovered from it describe it as a sort of dreamy sleep, followed by entire un consciousness.
A person has been, we will suppose, a few minutes under water, and is dragged out. At once, on the spot, lay him first on his stomach, and raise his feet a little higher than his head, for a few moments ; some one at the same time pressing with moderate force on the sides of the chest. The object
of this is to let water flow out, if it will, from the lungs.
Next, lay the patient on his back, and put under his shoulders a roll of clothing, such as a rolled-up overcoat, a hard pillow, etc. Draw out his tongue, ,with a thumb and finger, and get some one to hold it until it can be fixed forward, to prevent it from falling back and closing the entrance to the windpipe. For this fixation a small india-rubber band will be best. If none such is on hand, a paper-cutter, or a It- small stick, may be held upon the drawn-out tongue, pressing it upon the lower teeth.
Now comes the effort to produce artificial respiration. Silvester's method is the best.
Stand or kneel behind his head, and take hold of his arms just above the elbows. Draw them both gently and steadily upwards, over and back of the head, at their full length ; and keep them there for a second or so. Then carry them back again to the patient's sides, and press the elbows firmly against his sides, for another second or so. Go on doing this, perseveringly.
ARTIFICIAI. RESPIRATION
if necessary, for an hour or more. The object of it is, to promote expansion of the lungs to admit air, by the first movement; and its expansion, again by the second movement.
Meanwhile, another assistant should cut the clothing so as to remove it, rub the skjn dry, and cover the body with warm flannel.
7^
The legs may be rubbed briskly, upward, so as to favor the return of blood in the veins to the heart. Smelling-salts may be now and then held for a few moments under the nostrils. If a fire be near, heat a small flatiron, or a poker, or shovel, not quite to the burning point, but pretty hot, and touch it gently, again and again, to the skin over the pit of the stomach. This is a powerful mode of stimulation.