THE LIFE-BOAT, OB JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. [PRICE 2». VOL* . Ill—No. 25.J] JULY IST, 1857. fact, to live; and the tears of weeping THE. RESTORATION OF PERSONS relatives and friends are turned to joy.' APPARENTLY DROWNED. It is, indeed, a privilege to be permitted WHAT member is there of any Christian to take any part in the promotion of so community who has not meditated, with grand a work; proportionally anxious, how- feelings of reverential and grateful emotion, ever, must those feel who are engaged in on the miraculous restoration to life of it to possess themselves with an accurate LAZARUS after he had been dead four days ? knowledge of the most certain means with Who is there that has not pictured to him- which to effect their important under- self the pathetic interview between the two taking. sisters and our SAVIOOE on that memorable The NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, occasion ? Who is there whose thoughts although its more immediate function is have not travelled backward through die the provision of means to rescue the ship- long ages that have since passed away, and wrecked mariner and convey him safely tc rejoiced with those favoured women on the the land, is yet frequently, in its pursuit of return of one so dear to them, whom they that function, brought into contact with had mourned over as for ever removed from persons partially drowned. Accordingly, their earthly view ? at its numerous life-boat stations, it has had Such miraculous power is not deputed to posted up in the boat-houses those instruc- mortal man! yet there are cases where the tions for the treatment of seemingly-drowned physician, by the skilful use of the means persons which have been supposed to be which GOD has placed in his hands, pro- the most appropriate, which instructions are duces effects of a strikingly analogous cha- often the only guide of the persons called racter ; where all the functions of life have on' to assist, until medical aid can be ob- ceased; where the heart is still, and the tained. living fountain of the blood has become as The instructions hitherto adopted by the it were a stagnate pool; where the vital Institution have been those promulgated by principle itself has apparently fled, and the the Royal Humane Society of London, soul departed from its earthly tenement; whose attention had been more especially yet all has been restored again, and the devoted to the subject. So long as those living man has once more inhaled the breath rales were not impugned, the Committee of of life. the Institution thought they were safe in Perhaps the most striking and most adopting them; but as they have recently interesting cases of this almost restoration been disputed in some-parts by Dr. MAE- to life after death are those of persons who SHALL HALL, a gentleman of note in his have been apparently drowned. By the profession, and as numerous other medical persevering use of certain means, the clay- men have expressed a coincidence with his cold and seemingly-lifeless corpse is again conclusions, the Committee of the NATIONAL restored to warmth, and made to breathe, to LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION have felt it to be feel, to see, to speak, to hear, to think—in their duty to obtain for themselves all the LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.—Vol. IIL—No. 25. 70 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1857. information on the subject that is to be had, medical authorities of their several countries with a view to a revision of its former rules, an opinion on the proper treatment to be if found to be necessary. adopted for the restoration of suspended The Committee have accordingly deter- animation, from drowning. We now further, mined to appeal to the medical profession through the columns of this Journal, solicit generally, both in this and other countries, the favour of an opinion from all medical to aid them in effecting an object of such men who may have studied the subject, and vital importance. As a first step, a letter especially from those whose own experience was in April last forwarded to the Medi- has furnished them with practical information cal Journals, together with copies of the old on it, feeling sure that so humane and im- and of the proposed new modes of treat- portant an object will be deemed by many ment, whilst others of similar import have of them deserving of their serious attention since been addressed to all the leading and co-operation. medical and surgical institutions in this The following are copies of the two country, and to medical men individually, in modes of treatment, viz., the present In- the towns bordering on our sea-coasts, lakes, structions of the Royal Humane Society, and rivers. Communications have likewise and the Proposed New Method of Dr. been addressed to the Ambassadors of foreign MAKSHALL HALL :— powers, soliciting them to obtain from the TO RESTORE PERSONS APPARENTLY DROWNED. Royal Humane Society's Instructions. Dr. Marshall Buffs Proposed Method. SEND QUICKLY FOB MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. 1. Treat the patient INSTANTLY, ON THE SPOT, a Cautims. THE OPEN AIR, EXPOSING the face and chest to the 1. Lose no time. BREEZE (except in severe weather). 3. Avoid all rough usage. 3. Never hold up the body by the feet. I. To CLEAR THE THBOAT— 4. Nor roll the body on casks. 2. Place the patient gently on the face, with one 5. Nor rub the body with salt or spirits. WRIST under the forehead; 6. Nor inject tobacco-smoke or infusion of to- [all fluids and the tongue itself then fall forwards, bacco. leaving the entrance into the windpipe FREE.} I. Convey the body carefully, on its face, with If there be breathing—wait and WATCH ; if not, the head and shoulders supported in a raised posi- or if it FAIL,— tion, to the nearest house. II. Strip the body, and rub it dry; then wrap it II. To EXCITE RESPIRATION— in hot blankets, and place it in a warm bed in a 3. Turn the patient well and INSTANTLY on bin warm chamber free from smoke. side, and— III. Wipe and cleanse the mouth and nostrils. 4. Excite the nostrils with snuff, or the throat IV. lu order to restore the natural heat of the with a feather, &c., and dash cold water on the body, face, previously rubbed warm. More a heated covered warming-pan over If there be no success, LOSE NOT A MOMENT, but the back and spine. INSTANTLY— Put bladders or bottles of hot water, or heated bricks, to the pit of the stomach, III. To IMITATE RESPIRA.TIOS— the arm-pits, between the thighs, and to 5. Replace the patient on his face, RAISING and the soles of the feet. supporting the chest WELL on a folded coat or Foment the body with hot flannels. other article of dress; Rub the body briskly with the hand; do 6. Turn the body very GENTLY ON THE SIDE AMD not, however, suspend the use of the other A LITTLE BEYOND, and then BRISKLY on the face, means at the same time; but, if possible, alternately; repeating these measures delibe- immerse the body in a warm bath at rately, efficiently, and perseveringly FIFTEEK times blood heat, or 100° of the thermometer, in the minute, occasionally VARYING the side; as this is preferable to the other means [when the patient reposes on the chest, this cavity it for restoring warmth. compressed by the weight of the body, and EXPIRA- Y. Volatile salts or hartshorn to be passed TION takes place ; taken he is turned on the side, Ufa occasionally to and fro under the nostrils. pressure is removed, and INSPIRATION occurs.] JULY 1,1857.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 71 VI. No more persons to be admitted into the 7. When the PRONE position is resumed, HAKE room than are absolutely necessary. equable but efficient PRESSURE, with brisk move- ment, ALONG the back of the CBEST; BEHOVING it GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. immediately before rotation on the side; On the restoration of life, a teaspoonful of [the first measure augments the expiration, the second warm water should be given; and then, if the commences inspiration.'] power of swallowing be returned, small quantities of wine, or diluted brandy, warm: the patient *,* THE RESULT is—RESPIKATJOB j—AND, w nor should be kept in bed, and a disposition to sleep TOO LATE, LIFE* encouraged. Great care is requisite to maintain IV. To INDUCE CIRCULATION ANDW.UUJTH— the restored vital actions, and at the same time to prevent undue excitement. 8. Meantime rub the limbs UPWARDS, with FIRM GRASPING PRESSURE and with ENERGY, using hand- The treatment recommended by the Society to be persevered in for three or four hours, at it it an kerchiefs, &c. erroneous opinion that persons are irrecoverable be- [by this measure the blood is propelled along the veins cause life doet not toon mate its appearance, eases towards the heart."] having come under the notice of the. Society of suc- 9. Let the limbs be thus wanned and dried, and cessful remit* even after Jive hours; and it is alto then clothed, the bystanders supplying the re- absurd to suppose that a body must not be meddled quisite garments. with or removed without the previous permission of a 10. AVOID THE CONTINUOUS WARM-BATH, AND Coroner. THE POSITION ON, OH INCLINED TO, THE BACK. Our limited space will not admit of our 4. That it be imitated by artificial ex- placing before our readers the whole of pansion and contraction of the chest.