Page 3 Advertisements Column 5

West Coast Times, Issue 33, 19 August 1865, Page 3

TREATMENT OP THE APPARENTLY DROWNED. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Supported by Voluntary Contubiilions. Directions for Restoring the Apparently Drowned. Tho leading principles of the following Direct ion A for tho Restoration of the apparently dead fron\ drowning are founded on those of the late Dr. Marbhall Hall, combined with those of Dr. 11. R. Sil ve.-ter, and aro the result of extensive inquiries which wei'o made l)y the Institution in 1863-4 amongst medical men, medical bodies, and coronera throughout the United Kingdom. . These Direction^ have b>en extensively circulated by the Institutioil throughout tho United Kingdom and in tho i. olonies. They are also in use in Her Majesty's Tflcetj and in the Coast-guard Service. I. Send immediately for medical assistance, blari l kets, and dry clothing, but proceed to treat tho patient instantly on the spot, in the open air, with thd face downward, whether on shore or afloat ; exposing tho face, neck, and chest to tho wind, except ill severe weather, anil removing all tight clothing fiom the neck and chest, especially the l.races. The points to bo aimed at are- fust and immediately, the Restoration of Breathing ; anil secondly, after breathing is restored, tho Promotion of Warmth 1 nnd Circulation. The effoits to restore Breathing must be commenced immediately and energetically, anil persevered in for ono or two hours, or until a medical man has pionounced that life is extinct. Efforts td promote Warmth anil Circulation, beyond removing the wet clothes and drying tho skin, must not be made until the first appearance of natural breathing. For if circulation of the blood bo induced before" bieathing has recommenced, the restoration to lite will be endangered. 11. To Ri:stoiie Bueathin'O. To Clear the Tiiuoat — Place the patient on tho! floor or ground with the fnce downwards, and one oi the nnns under tho forehead, in which position nil fluids will moro readily escapo by tho mouth, and the tongue itself! will fall forwaul, leaving tho entrance into the windpipe free. Assist this operation by wiping and cleansing tho mouth. To Exoitb Diikatiiino. — Tuvn the patient well nnd instantly on the side, supporting the head) and — I, — inspiration. Excito the nostrils with snufT, hart-shorn, ana smelling .'alts, or tickle tho throat with a feather, Ac, if they nro at hand. Rub tho chest nnd face 1 warm, nnd dash cold water, or cold and hot water alternately, on thorn. If there be no success, Ids© not a moment but instantly To Imitate Breathing. — Roplnce tliQ patient on the chest, raising ami supporting the chest well on a folded coat or other article of dress. Turn tho body very gently on the side and a little beyond, nnd then biiskly on the face, back again ; ropeating these measures cautiously, efficiently, and persevciingly about fifteen times in the minute, or once every four or five seconds, Occasionally varying the side. [By placing tho pntient on tho chest, the weight of the body forces the air out ; when turned oil the feido, this pressure is removed, and air Cillers tho chest.] II.— EXPIRATIOK. On ench occasion thnt tho body is replaced on the face, mako uniform but efficient prcssuro with brisk movement, on the back between nnd below, the' shoulder blades or bones on each side, removing tho pressure immediately before turning the body oil the side During the whole of tho operations let one person, attend solely to the movements of the head, and of the arm placed under it. [The fiitt measure increases the expiration — the second commences inspiration.] The result is Respiration, or Natural Breathing— mid, if not too lato, Life. Whilst the above operations are being proceeded with, dry tho hands and feet ; and as soon as dry clothing or blankets can bo procured, strip the body and cover, or gradually reolothe it, but taking card not lo inteifero with the efforts to restore breathing. 111. Should these efforts not prove successful in the 1 course of from two to five minutes, proceed to iinitato breahing by Dr. Silvester's method, as follows :— Place tho patient on the back on a flah surface, ' inclined a little upwards from the feet ; raise anil support the head and shoulders on a small firul cushion or folded article of dress placed under the shoulder blades. Draw forwaul the patient's tongue, and keep it projecting beyond the lips ; nn elastic bund over the tongue and under the chin will answer this purpose, or ivpieco of string or tape may be tied round them, or by raising the lower jaw tho teeth may bo madei lo retain tho tongue in that position. Remove all tight clothing from about the neck arid chest, especially the braces. To ISIITATK THE MOVEMENTS 01* BREATHING.— : Standing afthe patient's head, grasp the arms just abovo the elbows, ami draw tho arms gently and steadily upwards abovo the head, nnd keep thenl stretched upwards for two seconds. (By this means air is diawn inlo tho lungs.) Then turn down the patient's anna, and picas them gently nnd firmly for two seconds against the sides of the chest. (By this means nir is pressed out of the lungs.) Repeat these measures alternately, deliberately, nnd perseveringly, about fifteen times iv a minuto, until a spontaneous effort to respire is perceived, immediately upon which cease lo imitate the move^ ments of breathing, and proceed to induce Circulation and Warmth. IV. Treatment aftfr Natuiiai. Breathing has bkem Restored. To Promote Warmth and Circulation — Commence rubbing the limbs upwards, with firm grasping pressure and energy, using handkerchiefs, flannels, &c. : [bj this measure tho blood is propelled along tho veins towards tho heart.] Tho friction njii.st be continued under tho blankot or over the dry clothing. Promoto tho warmth of tho bo.ly by tho application of hot flnnnels, bottles or bladders of hot water, heated biicks, >vc., to Iho pit of Uioßtomucli, the armpits, between tho thighs, and to tho soles of tho feet. If tho patient has boon carried to a liouso after respiration has been restored) be caioful to lot tho air play freely about tho room. On thn restoration of life, a leaspo'onful of warm water Bhould be given ; and then, if tho power of swallowing havo returned, small quantities of wine, warm biandy and water, or coffco, should bo administered. The patient should be kept in bed, and v disposition to sleep encouraged. Gkkkraii Observations'. Tiid abovo treatment should bo persevered in for somo hours, as it is nn erroneous opinion that persons are irrecoverable bec.uiso life docs not soon mako its appearance, persons having been restored after persevering for many hours. Appearances which Generally Accompany Death. Breathing nnd tlie heart's notion censo entirely tho eyelids nro generally half-closed ; tho pupils dilated j the jaws clonched ; the fingors semi-con-tracted ; tho tongno approaches to the under edgd of tho lips, and tlu-se, as well ns the nostrils, nrd covered with a ftothy mucus. Coldness and pallor of silrfaco inorbaso, Cautions. Prcvciit unnecessary crowding of persons' roniul tho body, especially if in au apartment. Avoid rough usage, and do not allow tile body to remain on tho back unions tho tongue is scoured. Under 1 n-j ciicumstiuces hold tho budy up by the feet. Oil no account placo tho body in a warm bath, uniessj Under mdlio.il direction, and oven thfin it should only bo employed ah a momeutaiy excitant. By order of tho Committee, l\ionAßi> Lewis, Scocotatfi. I