The physiological method of inducing respiration in cases of drowning, stillbirth, suffocation from chloroform, etc. etc / by Henry R. Silvester.

  • Silvester, Henry R. (Henry Robert), 1828-1908.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The physiological method of inducing respiration in cases of drowning, stillbirth, suffocation from chloroform, etc. etc / by Henry R. Silvester. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    2. By taking advantage of certain movements of the walls of the chest. 1st. The mechanical introduction of air into the chest by means of the bellows, by Dr. Sibson’s or some other apparatus, appears, theoretically speaking, to be strongly indicated; but the obvious objection is, that the instru¬ ments are not commonly at hand, and whatever is done on these occasions must be done quickly. A similar remark may be applied to the employment of electricity and electro-magnetism, and the introduction of certain gases, oxygen, ammonia, etc. Mr. Mare states, that “ more good is done by drawing air out of the lungs than by artificially inflating these organs.” 2nd. Under this division we come to the examination of some of the various ways of introducing air by imitating inspiration and expiration, employing with that view cer¬ tain movements of the thoracic parietes. We will group them under three heads :— I. Alternate compression and relaxation of the walls of the chest. II. The postural method of Dr. Marshall Hall. III. The method which I beg to introduce to your notice. I. Alternate compression and relaxation of the chest. This is the essential part of the various plans formerly employed. On compression, the walls of the chest descend below their accustomed level, the capacity of the lungs is diminished, and air is expelled. Upon the removal of the pressure or relaxation of the chest, the ribs rise again to their usual and ordinary height, and air is again in¬ troduced. There is no elevation of the ribs, such as takes place in natural deep inspiration, in which they are made to rise above their ordinary or quiescent level, and the cavity of the chest greatly increased in size. These methods have been made the subject of ex¬ periment. The apparatus employed was very simple, and consisted of three tubes, one of glass, to be passed into the trachea; another, a bent barometer tube, graduated; and these two connected by a piece of India rubber tubing. The glass tube was passed through an aperture made in the trachea, and firmly secured in its