RESTORATION OF DEAD ANIMALS TO LIFE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3331, 1 June 1885, Page 3

RESTORATION OF DEAD ANIMALS TO LIFE.

(Scientific American.) The transfer of blood from the bodies of healthy persons to those of the sick for the purpose of sustaining the strength and prolonging life has been practised by physicians, with limited success, for several centuries. Some very curious experiments m this direction have been made m Denver, Col., by Mr G. A. Armitage, an account of which, written by his assintant, Mr James L. Finch, was given m the Denver Daily News, from which we quote the following : — " The subject operated upon was a mediumsized terrier dog. It was securely tied, and an incision made m an artery m his neck, by which the animal was bled to death. He certainly passed through all the symptoms of dying, and soon after the last blood issued from the wound his frame became fixed and rigid, and his eyes showed the senseless glare of death. The room was kept at a temperature of 70deg Fah., while the dog lay for three hours dead. By this time he had become very stiff and cold. He was now placed m a warm water bath that was constantly maintained at a temperature of 105deg, and was continually and thoroughly rubbed, and as he became pliant his limbs were gently worked about and his whole body rendered supple. A half pint of hot water was now passed into his stomach through a hard rubber tube, that was forced down his oesophagus. When this was accomplished, the mouth of a rubber tube, attached to a bellows, was introduced into his windpipe, and as the bellows were provided with a double valve, by which the air could be withdrawn as well as inhaled the dog's nose was securely fastened up. A large and powerful Newfoundland dog that had been obtained for the purpose had been tied near by, and was now bled, while the attending surgeon proceeded to adjust the transfusing apparatus, and began to slowly inject the live dog's blood into the dead one. Simultaneously Mr Armitage began slowly working the respiratory bellows, while I kept rubbing the animal and bending his limbs and body to facilitate circulation. We could not have been more anxious about the issue of our efforts if they had been made on a human being instead of a dumb brute. When a pint of fresh blood had been injected, I could see some change about the eyes of the dog. But no one spoke. One thought was common to all — would life come back? In a few moments more there was certainly a convulsive tremor noticeable m the body. Mr Armitage, m undisguised excitement, said to the surgeon, 'Press the blood.' In a minute or two more the dog gasps, and soon attempts to eject the respiratory tube, which was accordingly withdrawn. This was followed by gasp 3 and a catching of the breath, while the eyes grow brighter and more natural. The rubbing and blood ejecting were yet applied, and the dog was struggling as if m a fit. But his efforts became less violent, and he began a low whine. A compress was now placed on the artery, and m twentytwo minutes after the first blood was injected he sits up, after having been dead three hours and twenty minutes. The dog then drank a broth that had been prepared for him m case of his revival, and soon got up and walked about. He was furnished with a comfortable bed near the stove, and from this time forward his recovery was so rapid that m two days he was turned out to run hi the streets. He is now a rugged character m good health, with seemingly no bad remembrance of his resurrection. The second case was tested on December 2nd. The subject selected was a calf six weeks old. The details of treatment were similar to the foregoing, except for greater convenience a hot vapor bath was substituted for the warm water immersion. The calf, after being bled to death, was left for twelve hours before its resuscitation was undertaken, as it was desirable to see if a longer death interval could be successfully passed over. The fresh blood injected into its circulatory system was drawn from a yearling steer. It required thirtyfive minutes to restore the calf to life after the transfusion of the first blood. The calf then drank some warm milk, and has since grown and thriven without perceptible interruption or ailment. The next experiment was of a different charaoter, and was made with a view to see if a drowned animal could be restored to life. A small dog was forced under water and drowned. He was then taken out, and laid with his head inclined downward to drain his lungs of water, and left for four hours m a warm room. It will be noticed that this was quite a different and more hopeless case than the preceding, as the dog had all his own blood yet m his veins. After an hour m the warm bath, and constant rubbing and working, his veins were opened at three different points to admit of the escape of any blood that might issue from them, and the injecting apparatus was vigorously applied to the arterial system. After fifty minutes of anxious labor, signs of revivication were observable. The poor beast whined piteously as life was being once more enthroned within him. Notwithstanding great care was taken of him, he remained weak for several days, but seems now to be m good condition. A fourth case was recently tried, the subject being a dog that was strangled and afterwards frozen — as he could not be frozen without strangling — but this was unsuccessful. After four hours of labor no signs of returning life were notable. It is believed, however, that this experiment may yet succeed, and the life of a frozen animal may be restored. It is proper to add that, m the first cases, after the blood ceased to flow from the wound, measures were taken to prevent air entering the circulatory system as the animal cooled, and m all the cases the respiratory apparatus was nicely adjusted to the capacity of the animal. If the lungs m any case had been ruptured or overstrained, haemorrhage would have subsequently ensued. The first dog operated upon is now m the possession of Mr George Woodside, No. 831, Champa street, and the calf is m the stock lot of Mr Boyd, west of the Platte, near the Thirtieth street- bridge. Anyone having the curiosity to see animals that have onoe been dead, and afterwards scientifically restored to life, can do so by calling at these places." Mr Armitage sends the following letter to the Scientific American :—" Please find enclosed herein a relation of my assistant, Mr J. L. Finch, m regard to Borne experiment* instituted by myself m this

city on revitalising dead animals. The account was publiahed m the Denver Neivs five days ago. It is proper for me to add to this account that since then I have succeaafully restored life to a dog that had been dead eighteen hours, his death having been effected by bloodletting. After he became unconscious he was treated similarly to the dog first mentioned m the article enclosed, except that the temperature of the room m which he lay waß maintained at 40deg. Fahr., to prevent any probable change of tissue taking- place. This case was brought to a successful termination last night. The dog is doing well, has eaten some food to-day, but seems somewhat weak. The results of these experiments appear most momentous to me, and I am desirous of having them repeated by others, and my own work corroborated. I believe they will be of value to mankind, and m order to introduce them to more general attention I submit them for your consideration or for such a publication of the facts as may seem proper. "G. A. Armitage. " Denver (Col.), Jan. 22nd, 1885."