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Classic
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page 426
the righthand ends of the sentences were accidently cut off when scanned.
done must be done quickly. The body should be recovered, without loss of time,
from the water, and laid face downward for a moment, while the tongue is pressed
back by the finger to allow the escape of water or any other substance from the
mouth or throat (no water can ever by any possibility get into the lungs). This
may be done while the body is being conveyed to the nearest house; on arrival,
strip off clothing, place on a warm bed, with head raised very little, if any,
apply friction with the dry hands to the extremities and heated flannels to the
rest of the body. Now breathing must be artificially restored. "Silvester's
ready method" is most favored by physicians and consists in pulling the tongue
well forward, to favor the passage of air to the lungs, and then drawing the
arms away from the sides of the body, and upward, so that they meet over the
head, and then bringing them down until the elbows almost meet over the "pit of
the stomach." These movements must be made, and persisted in, at the rate of
sixteen to the minute. Another method is to place the body flat on the face,
press gently on the back, turn body on its side or a little beyond, and then,
turning back upon face, apply gentle pressure again, repeating at the rate of
sixteen times per minute. As soon as vitality begins to return a few drops of
brandy, in a little water, may be administered, and, in a few minutes, some
beef-tea or light nourishment. Persons at all weakened by debility, especially
by anything that affects the nervous system, or those recovering from sickness,
are in the least indisposed, should never venture into water beyond their depth
as such conditions predispose to "cramp," against which the best swimmers are
helpless.
HANGING.--Death is from the same cause as in drowning. Cut down the body without
allowing it to fall, place on face, press back tongue with finger to allow any
accumulation to escape from the mouth, place on the back, and treat as directed
for the drowned. If body is still warm after the removal of clothing, stand off
six feet and dash several times with a bowl of cold water, the face, neck, and
chest.
SUFFOCATION.--This often occurs from carbonic-acid gas, or "choke-damp" on
entering wells or old cellars; this gas being heavier than air falls and rests
at the bottom. Before entering such places, test by lowering a lighted candle;
if the flame is extinguished it is unsafe to enter until the gas has been
removed by throwing down a bundle of lighted shavings or blazing paper,
sufficient to cause a strong upward current. When a person is over come by this
gas, he must be immediately rescued by another, who must be rapidly lowered and
drawn out, as he must do all while holding his breath a large sack is sometimes
thrown over the person who goes to the rescue. As soon as brought out, place the
person on his back, bare the neck and throat, loosen clothing, and strip as
quickly as possible; if he has not fallen in the water, dash cold water freely
over head, neck, and shoulders, standing off several feet and throwing it with
force; artificial respiration should be used meantime, as in case of drowning,
with as little cessation as possible. If the person has fallen into the water
when overcome by the gas, place in a warm bed, and use the means of artificial
respiration vigorously.
Suffocation from burning charcoal, from anthracite or bituminous coal, or from
common burning gas, or the foul gases from drains and cess-pools, is treated as
if from carbonic acid gas.
CHOKING.--A piece of food lodged in the throat may sometimes be pushed down with
the finger, or removed with a hair-pin quickly straightened and hooked at the
end, or by two or three vigorous blows on the back between the shoulders.
SUNSTROKE.--This is favored by intemperance, and by debility brought
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