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Domestic Medicine : or, a Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and simple Medicines
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OF DROWNED PERSONS.

377

When air cannot be forced into the chest by the mouth 01 nose, itmay be necessary to make an opening into the wind-pipe foi this purpose. It is needless however to spend time in describing this operation,as it should not be attempted unless by persons skilled in surgery.

To stimulate the intestines, the fume of tobacco may be thrown up inform of a clyster. There are various pieces of apparatus contrived forthis purpose which may be used when at hand; but where these cannotbe obtained, the business may be done by a common tobacco-pipe. Thebowl of the pipe may be filled with tobacco well kindled, and after thesmall tub as been introduced into the fundament, the smoke may beforced up by blowing through a piece of paper full of holes wrappedround the mouth of the pipe, or by blowing through an empty pipe, themouth of which is applied close to that of the other. This may also bedone in the following manner: A common clyster pipe with a bagmounted upon it may be introduced into the fundament, and the mouthof the bag may be applied round the small end of a tobacco-pipe, in thebowl of which tobacco is to be kindled, and the smoke blown up asdirected above. Should it be found impracticable to throw up the smokeof tobacco, clysters of warm water, with the addition of a little salt andsome wine or spirits, may be frequently administered. These may bedone by a common clyster-bag, and pipe; but, as it ought to be thrownwell up, a pretty large syringe will answer the purpose better.

While these things are doing, some of the attendants ought to be pre-paring a warm bath, into which the person should be put, if the aboveendeavours prove ineffectual. Where there are no conveniences forusing the warm bath, the body may be covered with warm sand, ashes,grains, or such like. Tissot mentions an instance of a girl who was restored to life, after she had been taken out of the water, swelled bloated,mid to all appearance dead, by laying her naked body upon hot ashes,covering her with others equally hot, putting a bonnet round her head,and a stocking round her neck suffed with the same, and heaping cover-ings over all. After she had remained half an hour in this situation, herpulse returned, she recovered speech, and cried out, I freeze, Ifreeze. A little cherry brandy was given her, and she remainedburied as it were under the ashes for eight hours; afterwards she wastaken out, without any other complaint except that of lassitude orweariness, which went off in a few days.

Till the patient shews some signs of life, and is able to swallow, itwould be useless and even dangerous to pour liquors into his mouth. Hislips, however, and tongue, may be frequently wet with a feather dipt inwarm brandy or other strong spirits; and, as soon as he has recoveredthe power of swallowing, a little warm wine, or some other cordial,Jught every now and then to be administered.

Some recommend a vomit after the patient is a little re-animated; butif he can be made to puke without the sickening draught, it will bemore safe: this may generally be done by tickling the throat and fauces,with an oiled feather, or some other soft substance, which will not injurethe parts. Tis60t in this case recommends the oxyinel of squills, a table-spoonful of which, diluted with water, may be given every quarter 01*n hour, till the patient has taken five or six doses. Where that medicineis not at hand, a strong infusion of sage, camomile flowers or carduus

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