Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/87

63&#93; A N I. asserted that, by this method, per- sons who had lain many hours under water, have been happily re- suscitated. In the Journal Historique sitr les matieres da (ems, for Dec. 175S, a case is related by Dr. du Mou- lin t, who succeeded in recovering a young woman, after she had lain for several hours under water. All pulsation having ceased, he consi- dered it as a desperate case, and was induced to try a method he had frequently observed to be suc- cessful with flies and other insects, which, when drowned or apparent- ly dead, had been revived by half burying them in ashes or salt. He accordingly ordered a quantity of dry pot-ashes to be strewed, about three inches deep, on a bed : upon this layer his patient was placed, and another, about two inches in depth, was spread over her. The head was covered with a cap con- taining some of these ashes ; and a stocking tilled with the same ma- terial, was placed round her throat. Blankets were then laid on the bed ; and in half an hour her pulse began to beat ; after which she quickly recovered. If pot-ash can- not be readily procured, dry salt may be used as a substitute. In Russia, the common people are frequently deprived of sensa- tion, by pestilential vapours arising from the following cause. Persons of rank, in that country, have dou- ble windows to their houses in winter, but those of the poorer classes are only single. During frosty weather, an incrustation is formed on the inside of those win- dows, from a condensation of the breath, perspiration, &c of a number of persons living together in the same room. This mephitic «rust is mixed with the noxious A N I [«j fumes of candles, and of the oven widi which the chamber is heated. When a thaw succeeds, and this plate of ice is converted into water, a deleterious principle is disen- gaged, which produces efte&s si- milar to those arising from the fumes of charcoal. The method of recovering persons affedted bv this effluvia, is as follows : they are immediately carried out of doors, and placed on the snow, with no other covering but a shirt and linen drawers. Their temples, and die region of the stomach are then well rubbed widi snow ; and cold water and milk is poured down their throats. The friction is continued till die livid hue of the skin disappears, and the sur- face acquires its natural colour. In cases of apparent deadi, from, drowning, it is necessary to rub the breast and temples for a consi- derable time with salt, and all the other parts with warm cloths. Bladders filled with warm water, or bricks heated and wrapped iu flannel, should be applied to the soles of die feet, under the arm- pits, and between the thighs. The head should be covered widi blan- kets, to preserve the lungs from too sudden an ingress of the air, on die renewal of respiration. When symptoms of returning ani- mation appear, a few ounces of blood may be taken from the arm. Farther directions for the ma- nagement of bodies in that unfor- tunate situation, we propose to communicate under the articles of Drowning, Suspension by the cord, Lightning, &c. As a proof of the success which has attended the exertions of medi- cal men in this country, who have liberally co-operated with the be- nevolent design of the Royal Hu- mane