A treatise on the diseases of children ; with directions for the management of infants.

  • Underwood, Michael, 1736-1820.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the diseases of children ; with directions for the management of infants. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    himself should previously make several deep and rapid inspi- rations, and finally a full inspiration. In this manner the air expelled from his lungs into those of the little patient, will contain more oxygen and less carbonic acid, and consequently be more capable of exciting the dying embers of life.* III. 1. In the midst of these efforts it should, in the next place, be the office of two other individuals to maintain or restore the temperature of the little infant, by gently but constantly pressing and rubbing its limbs between their warm hands, passing them upwards in the direction of the venous circulation. 2. When respiration is established, the face must still be freely exposed to the air, whilst the temperature of the limbs and body is carefully sustained. 3. As soon as possible, a little warm liquid, as barley water, at blood heat, should be given by means of the proper bottle furnished with leather or soft parchment. A tea-spoon must not be used for fear of choking. If the infant draws the liquid through its own lips, by its own efforts, there is no danger. IV. Lastly, if all these remedies should be tried in vain, I would strongly advise galvanic or electric shocks to be passed from the side of the neck to the pit of the stomach, or in the course of any of the respiratory nerves, and their appro- priate muscles. No time should be lost in sending for a pro- per apparatus; but should the lapse of an hour, or even more, take place, before it can be obtained, still it should be sent for and tried.—M. H.] [* I found this suggestion in an interesting communication by Dr. Faraday, in the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine, vol. iii. p. 241, for Oct. 1833. It is ascertained that respiration may be suspended longer, as in diving, or in experiments, after such repeated forced inspirations, than in ordinary cir- cumstances, from the greater purity of the air in the lungs.—M. H.]