Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1882 — Treatment of the Drowned. [ARTICLE]

Treatment of the Drowned.

The following is deemed one of the most effectual modes of restoring persons who have been drowned: Immediately after the patient has been taken from the water, place him face downward, with a hard roll of clothing beneath the pit of his stomach to raise it above the level of the mouth. With your hands well spread upon the patient’s back, throw upon it your whole weight, pressing upward, and keep up the pressure about three seconds. This will serve to force all water from the stomach and lungs out by the mouth. Bepeat this movement once or twice. Next turn the patient face upward, the roll of clothing being placed beneath his back, his shoulders drooping over it. Bend his head backward, so that Ids throat is put upon the stretch, and place his hands on top of his head—a handkerchief bound around the crossed wrists will keep them in place. No clothing should be on his waist or neck. Now kneel astride his nips, grasp the front part of the chest on both sides of the pit of the stomach—your thumbs pointing towards the patient’s chin, your lingers fitting into the grooves between the short ribs. Fix your elbows firmly to your hips, and pressing forcibly the sides of the patient together and using your knees as a pivot, throw yourself slowly forward until your, face almost touches the patient’s face, your weight pressing upon his chest, suspend this pressure with a quick push, which jerks you back »to the upright, kneeling position. Wait three seconds for the ribs to spring back, then repeat this movement, gradually increasing i£s repetition from seven to ten times a minute. Should a natural gasp oCBUr, do not interrupt it; but as the ribs fall, press them gently to deepen and prolong it. Continue the action for an hour, should not natural respiration set in before. If you have help, the tongue should be held out of one corner of the mouth by the thumb and finger armed with a bit, of dry cotton or linen rag. Bo calm and regular in your effort; impatient, spasmodic pushes may fail when the drowned has not a good degree of viability. Camfounia furnishes seventeen different ranges of climate, and it is hard to tell whether a resident will give 'you a red-hot welcome or a frigid reception.