Silverlock's medical and surgical emergency reference book.

Date:
[1885?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Silverlock's medical and surgical emergency reference book. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    61/134 (page 59)
    METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION, RECOMMENDED FOR RESTORING APPARENTLY DROWNED PERSONS, BY Dr. benjamin HOWARD. 1—Instantly turn patient downwards, with a large firm roll of clothing under stomach and chest. Place one of his arms under his forehead, so as to keep his mouth off the ground. Press with all your weight two or three times, for four or five seconds each time, upon patient's back, so that the water is pressed out of lungs and stomach, and drains freely out of mouth. Then: 2.—Quickly turn patient, face upwards, with roll of clothing under back, just below shoulder blades, and make the head hang back as low as possible. Place patient's hand above his head. Kneel with patient's hips between your knees, and fix your elbows firmly against your hips. Now—grasping lower part of patient's naked chest—squeeze his two sides together, pressing gradually forward with all your weight, for about three seconds, until your mouth is nearly over mouth of patient; then, with a push, suddenly jerk yourself back. Rest about three seconds;—then, begin again, repeating these bellows-blowing movements with perfect regularity so that foul air may be pressed out, and pure air be drawn into lungs, about eight or ten times a minute, for, at least, one hour, or until patient breathes naturally. Note.—The above directions must be used on the spot, the first instant the patient is taken from the water. A moment's delay—and success may be hopeless. Prevent crowding around patient; plenty of fresh air is important. Be careful not to interrupt the first short natural breaths. If they be long apart, carefully continue between them the bellows-blowing movements as before. After breathing is regular, let patient be rubbed dry:—wrapt in warm blankets—take hot spirits and water in small occasional doses, and then be left to rest and sleep.