3-016-986 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Restorative treatment of the apparently drowned: Dr Silvester's method of inducing respiration, 1864. Illustrations for '...instructions for the revival of persons apparently drowned, which the Royal National Life-boat Institution has lately compiled...Inspiration; expiration... The points to be aimed at are - first and immediately, the restoration of breathing; and, secondly, after breathing is restored, the promotion of warmth and circulation. The efforts to restore breathing must be commenced immediately and energetically, and persevered in for one or two hours, or until a medical man has pronounced that life is extinct. Efforts to promote warmth and circulation, beyond removing the wet clothes and drying the skin, must not be made until the first appearance of natural breathing. For if circulation of the blood be induced before breathing has recommenced, the restoration to life will be endangered...If there be only slight breathing or no breathing, or if the breathing fail, then, to excite breathing, turn the patient well and instantly on the side, supporting the head, and excite the nostrils with snuff, hartshorn, and smelling salts, or tickle the throat with a feather, if they are at hand.' From "Illustrated London News", 1864.