FIRST AID.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 88

FIRST AID.

[All Rights Reserved.] WHAT TO DO TILL THE DOCTOR COMES. A Series of Simple and Helpful Hints by the Late Dr W. Gordon-Stables, R.N. XXH. RESTORING THE APPARENTLY - DROWNED. Drowning is one of the most common accident*, in this country. We are, in Britain, essentially maritime, and we have dark, sluggish rivers, and ponds and lakes everywhere, and yet very few of us take the trouble to learn the methods of restoring to life the apparently drowned. Indeed, we hardly take the trouble to learn swimming. The methods generally used -to carry coi.t artificial respiration are that by Dr Marshall Hall and that of, Dr Silvester. Sometimes the former is used firsthand, if unsuccessful, the latter. , . When the man has been got out of the water, he should be carried to dry ground, with the bead somewhat lower, than.the chest, so that the water shall drain,out of the mouth. ; Do'not carry face, downwards,; but on the side. ... ;-•■;: -.-.,. " r ~i:'ii>. (1) Send iinmediately for the doetor,-the-.messenger to-state in a few -wordst what, he is wanted for. • . '->" -"•• ' ,: (2) Send for, .ox get somehow, warm, dry • clothing and rugs or blankets, and hot water bottles. ■,; (3) Loosen all tight clothing about the neck, the chest, and waist. (4) Examine the mouth; there may be mud there, bits of seaweed, or foodj put the finger well back and clear this out. ' (5) Turn the patient over on his face for a few seconds' only, and, .placing the clasped hands underneath the lower part of the chest, raise the middle to permit the water to drain from the throat and upper air pipes. (6) He is now to be turned on the back, and if the breathing has stopped arti- , ' ficial respiration is at once to be commenced. (7) If he still breathes, this is to be kept, up by rubbing the limbs upwards, and by applying smelling salts to the, nostrils. :-. / • (8) If the breathing has ceased, grast* the tongue with a handkerchief, and, pulling forward, give into the handd of a bystander or. helper to keep forward. This is done to prevent the paralysed epiglottis from falling back over the entrance to the windpipe and so closing it up. - - « (9) Raise up the head and shoulders and place ben them the folded coat and waistcoat a little to keep them ill ;that position. (10)' A vthird helper should be rubbing . : upwards the lower limbs while the chief one performs. N.B.—This, in the case of the apparently drowned, may be kept up for nearly two hours; but the doctor, of course, is the chief judge.. ■ HALL'S METHOD. The following' is Hall's method. Place the patient on his face, with one of his arms bent, and forming a cushion on which his forehead rests. Then catch hold of the opposite arm by the wrist with one of your hands, while your other hand lies on the shoulder blade of the same side. The patient's body is then rolled towards its side, and a little" further, and the arm held by the wrist raised above the head. This effects respiration. The body is then turned back on to its face, and press/ure made with the hand resting on the chest to expel the air again.

On the whole I think that Silvester's method (Figs. 39 and 40) is preferable, and more natural. SILVESTER'S METHOD. It is thus briefly* described by me ekewhere. "If some articles of clothing are placed under the shoulder blades while the patient lies on the back, the head a little to one side, fluid, if any, will drain from the lungs. "Standing at the patient's head, grasp the arms just above the elbows, and draw the arms steadily and gently upwards above his head, and keep them stretched upwards for two seconds. (By this means

U.T is drawn into the lungs.) Then turn down the patient's arms, and press them gently and firmly for two seconds against the aide of the chest. By this means air is pressed out of the lungs. Repeat these measures, alternately, deliberately, and perseverinigly, about 15 times a minute, until the spontaneous effort to respire is perceived, immediately upon which cease to imitate the movements of breathing, and proceed to induce circulation and warmth." —After Breathing Has Been Restored. — "To promote warmth and circulation, commence rubbing the limbs upwards with firm, grasping pressure and energy, using handkerchiefs, flannels, etc. '(By this measure the blood is being propelled along the veins towards the heart.) The friction must be continued under the blanket or over the dry clothing. Promote the warmth of the body by the application of hot flannels, bottles, or bladders of hot water, heated bricks, etc., to the pit of the stomach, the arm-pits, between the thighs, and to the soles of the feet. If the patient has been carried to a house after respiration has been restored, be careful to let the air play freely about the room. On the restoration of life a teaspoonful of warm water should be given, and then, if the-power of swallowing has been retained, small quantities of warm brandy and water, or coffee, should, be administered. The patient should be kept in bed, and a disposition to sleep encouraged," The patient, however, must be watched for some time for fear the breathing should again fail; in such a case artificial breathing would have" to be resorted to once more.- ~'.„-. . -