Farther hints for restoring animation, and for preserving mankind against the pernicious influence of noxious vapours, or, contaminated air, in a second letter to Dr. Hawes.

  • Fothergill, A. (Anthony), 1732?-1813.
Date:
1783
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Farther hints for restoring animation, and for preserving mankind against the pernicious influence of noxious vapours, or, contaminated air, in a second letter to Dr. Hawes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    12/90 (page 52)
    the catheter into its orifice in the recovery of drowned perfons. Nature has endowed the interior furfacc of this tube with a peculiar fenfibility, by which it is rcndere*d^“ tremblingly alive’’ > * * to the touch of every fluid except relpira- ble air. Hence, if but a drop of water, or any other liquor however mild, by accident gains admiflion into its orifice, this like a faithful guardian inflantly gives the alarm, and excites a violent cough to expell it. And there is the higheft reafon to believe ^ i- that in the article of' drowning the fame power is vigoroufly exerted in fecuring the entrance into the larynx, by inducing a V/ firm conftridiion, which continues till the contraflile power of the mufcles is de- * ftroyed. Therefore although water may find admiflion after this conilridlion is re- laxed, yet, with deference to thefe able Pa- thologifts.