The discovery of the physiological method of inducing respiration in cases of apparent death from drowning, chloroform, still-birth, noxious gases, etc., etc. / by Henry R. Silvester.

  • Silvester, Henry R. (Henry Robert), 1829-1908.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The discovery of the physiological method of inducing respiration in cases of apparent death from drowning, chloroform, still-birth, noxious gases, etc., etc. / by Henry R. Silvester. 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.

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    ployed to induce expiration and inspiration; the difference being that, in the postural method, the compression of the thorax is occasioned by the weight of the body of the patient resting on the chest during the prone position, followed by the removal of the pressure, and consequent return of the thoracic parietes to their ordinary level on the patient’s assuming the supine posture. No attempt is made to enlarge the actual capacity of the chest by inducing an elevation of the ribs, such as takes place on making a deep inspiration. The following directions are given for performing the postural method :—“ Place the patient on his face, supporting the chest on a folded coat, or other article of dress. Turn the body very gently but completely on the side, and a little beyond, and then briskly on the face, alternately repeating these measures deliberately, efficiently, and perseveringly, fifteen times in a minute only. ( When the patient reposes on the thorax, that cavity is compressed by the weight of the body, and expiration takes place; when he is turned on his sidef this pressure is removed, and inspiration occurs.) When the prone position is resumed, make equable but efficient pressure with friction along the back, removing it imme- diately before rotation on the side. (The first measure augments the expiration; the second commences inspira- tion.)” Numerous experiments have been made on the dead body in order to test the influence the postural method has upon respiration. The following results were ob- tained by the aid of the apparatus mentioned above, namely, a glass barometer tube bent in the form of an inverted syphon graduated, and containing a little coloured spirit, made to communicate with the trachea by means of a long flexible tube, the joints well secured by ligature. First: The subject of experiment being placed in the prone position, equable but efficient pressure with friction was made along the back, as recommended by Dr. Mar- shall Hall, in his rules for restoring persons apparently dead from apnoea. The fluid rose in the bent tube, proving that the compression exercised on the thorax by the weight of the body, etc., did displace some air from the lungs. Secondly: On turning the body on the side and a little beyond, the column of fluid fell slowly to its former level,