If natural breathing be not restored after a trial of the bellows
movement for the space of about four minutes, then turn the patient a
second time on the stomach, as directed in Rule II, rolling the body
in the opposite direction from that in which it was first turned, for
the purpose of freeing the air passage from any remaining water.
Continue the artificial respiration from one to four hours, or until
the patient breathes, according to Rule III; and for a while, after
the appearance of returning life, carefully aid the first short gasps
until deepened into full breaths. Continue the drying and rubbing,
which should have been unceasingly practiced from the beginning by
assistants, taking care not to interfere with the means employed to
produce breathing. Thus the limbs of the patient should be rubbed,
always in an upward direction toward the body, with firm-grasping
pressure and energy, using the bare hands, dry flannels, or
handkerchiefs, and continuing the friction under the blankets, or over
the dry clothing. The warmth of the body can also be promoted by the
application of hot flannels to the stomach and armpits, bottles or
bladders of hot water, heated bricks, etc., to the limbs and soles of
the feet.
RULE IV. _After Treatment. Externally._--As soon as breathing is
established let the patient be stripped of all wet clothing, wrapped
in blankets only, put to bed comfortably warm, but with a free
circulation of fresh air, and left to perfect rest. _Internally:_ Give
whisky or brandy and hot water in doses of a teaspoonful to a
tablespoonful, according to the weight of the patient, or other
stimulant at hand, every ten or fifteen minutes for the first hour,
and as often thereafter as may seem expedient. _Later Manifestations:_
After reaction is fully established there is great danger of
congestion of the lungs, and if perfect rest is not maintained for at
least forty-eight hours, it sometimes occurs that the patient is
seized with great difficulty of breathing, and death is liable to
follow unless immediate relief is afforded. In such cases apply a
large mustard plaster over the breast. If the patient gasps for breath
before the mustard takes effect, assist the breathing by carefully
repeating the artificial respiration.
=IF ONE PERSON MUST WORK ALONE.=
MODIFICATION OF RULE III
[_To be used after Rules I and II in case no assistance is at hand_]
_To Produce Respiration._--If no assistance is at hand, and one person
must work alone, place the patient on his back with the shoulders
slightly raised on a folded article of clothing; draw forward the
tongue and keep it projecting just beyond the lips; if the lower jaw
be lifted, the teeth may be made to hold the tongue in place; it may
be necessary to retain the tongue by passing a handkerchief under the
chin and tying it over the head.[3]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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