TO SAVE LIFE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 62, 10 September 1910, Page 14

TO SAVE LIFE.

HOW TO RESTORE THE APPARENTLY DROWNED. "SCHAFER" METHOD FAVOURED BY EXPERTS. Air and water are warming up and soon the swimmer will be in his element. But bathing is invariably accompanied by sad accidents, and it is astonishing, says a writer in the London Graphic, how few people even in these days of advanced physical education, understand the method of restoring animation to persons apparently drowned. In view of this remark it may be not only interesting but highly useful to describe a new system recently adopted by the Chief Surgeon to ttie London Metropolitan Police, on the advice of a special committee, appointed at his request by the Royal Society of Medicine. This ip the "Schafer method" called after the inventor, Professor E. A. Schafer, who holds a Chair of Physiology in the University of Edinburgh. The writer above quoted proceeds to review at length the various methods which have at some period or other been in use. It is not the first time this important question has formed the subject of enquiry by medical men of the highest eminence. As early as 1861 a committee 'of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society was appointed for the purpose of investigating the best method of restoring animation to the apparently drowned. This enquiry, which was very careful and exhaustive, resulted in a strong recommendation of the "Sylvester Method" the invention of Dr. Sylvester. His system was therefore generally adopted by the police and public authorities all over the United Kingdom, and it successfully withstood all competition in three subsequent enquiries conducted at irregular intervals by committees of the same learned society. Now, however, the Committee of the Royal Medical Society has unanimously reported in favour of the "Schafer method," as contrasted with that of Dr. Sylvester, or its principal competitor, that of. Dr. Marshall Hall. The committee, jt^may be explained, consisted of seven of the leading physicians and surgeons of the day, with Sir William Church as chairman. WHY ' SCHAFER " WAS FAVOURED. x Briefly, the grounds on which the committee favoured the Schafer method are that it is simpler than any of its predecessors ; the direction for using_ it less likely to be misunderstood; it is available under the greater variety of circumstances j and, above all, it is capable of being carried out by a single person. It has also, in the opinion of the committee, other points (enumerated) which render it preferable. One of these points is that there appears to be less risk, of injury to the chest, the liver, and other abdominal organs, from pressure exerted according to Schafer's directions than by the Sylvester method, which has, in inexperienced hands, led to fractuTe of ribs, and, not improbably, to rupture of the liver. THE METHOD DESCRIBED. The following are detailed instructions for applying the Schafer method :— The movements of artificial breathing should be commenced the moment the patient is removed from the water, and no time should be wasted in removing or loosening clothing. Immediately after removal from the water, lay the patient faca downward,

with the arms extended. Turn the fac* to the sidqr. Kneel astride or on one side of the patient. Place the hands on the small of th* patient's back, one on each side, with the thumbs parallel and nearly touching. Bend forward with the arm straight, so as to allow the weight of the operator to bear on his wrists, and thus mak« a steady, firm, downward pressure oa the lower part of the patient s back (tha loins and lower ribs). This part of thq operation should occupy the time necessary to count — slowly — one, two, three. Immediately after making the down« ward pressure, the operator should swing backwards so as to relax 'the pressure, but without lifting his hands from the patient's body. Tim part of the operation should occupy the time neces-v sary to count — slowly — one, two. Repeat the forward and backward movements without any marked pausa between them. The downward pressux* forces the air out of the lungs, and th« relaxation of pressure causes the air tot be drawn in again. Continue the movements at the rate ,ol about twelve per minute, until natural breathing has recommenced. When natural breathing is fairly begun, cease the movements. Watch th« patient closely, and, if natural breathing ceases, repeat the movements as before. When natural breathing has commence ed, the patient should be allowed to Ikt in a natural position on one side, and treatment for the promotion of warmth and circulation may be proceeded with. But the movements of artificial breath* ing are of the most consequence.