The recent accident to Mr. Ord draws attention to the fact thet it is not generally known thst it is often possible to resuscitate a person who has apparently been killed by an electric shock, and it is therefore opportune to- publish the followi suggestions contributed by Augustin H. Godet, M.v., to the Electrical World"
The urgent necessity for prompt and persistent efforts at resuscitation of vic tims of accidental shocks by electricity is very well emphasised by the successful results in the few instances recorded. In order that the task may not be undertaken in a half-hearted manner, it must be appreciated that accidental shocks seldom' result in absolute death unless the victim is left unaided for too Jong a time, or efforts at resuscitation are suspended too early.
In the majority of instances the shock is only sufficient to suspend animation temporarily, owing to the momentary and imperfect contact of the conductors, and also on account of the indifferent parts of the body submitted to the influence of the current. It must be appreciated also that the body under the conditions of accidental shocks seldom receives the full force of the current in the circuit, but only a shunt current, which may represent 'a very iusignificant part of it.
When an accident of this nature occurs, the following rules should be promptly ited and executed with due care and ration _L—Remove the body at once from the circuit by breaking contact with the conductors, This may be accomplished by using a dry stick of wood, which is a nonconductor, to roll the body over to one side, or to brush aside a wire, if that is conveying the current, When a stick is not at hand, any dry piece of clothing may be utilised to protect the hand in seizing the body of the victim, unless rubber gloves are convenient. f the body is in contact with the earth, the coat-tails of the victim, or any loose or detached piece of clothing, may be seized with impunity to draw it away from the conductor. When this has been accomplished observe Rule 2.
2.—Turn the body upon the back, loosen the collar and clothing about the neck, roll up a coat and place it under the shoulders, so as to throw the head back, and then make efforts to establish artificial respiration (in other words, make him breathe), just as would be done in case of drowning. fo accomplish this, kneel at the subject's facing him as shown in Fig. 1, and seizing both arms draw them forcibly to their full length over the head, so as to bring them almost together above it, and hold them there for two or three seconds only. (This is to expand the chest and favour the entrance of air into the lungs). Then carry the arms down to the sides and front of the chest firmly compressing, the chest walls, and expel the air from the lungs as shown in Fig. 2. Repeat this manweuyre at least sixteen times p minute. These efforts should be continued unremittingly for at least an hour, or until nature] respiration is established.
3.—At the same time that this is being done, some one should grasp the tongue of the subject with a handkerchief or piece of cloth to prevent it slipping, and draw it forcibly out when the arms are extended above the head, and allow it to recede when the chest is compressed. This manceuvre should likewise be repeated at least sixteen times per minute, This serves the double purpose of freeing the throat so as to permit air to enter the lungs, and also, by
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.