DROWNED PERSONS 



339 



press heavily on the back over the stomach for ^ min., 

 or as long as fluids flow freely from the mouth. 



To Produce Breathing. Clear the mouth and throat of 

 mucus by introducing into the throat the corner of a 

 handkerchief wrapped closely around the forefinger; 

 turn the patient on the back, the roll of clothing being 

 so placed as to raise the pit of the stomach above the 

 level of the rest of the body (see Fig. 2). Let an 

 assistant, with a handkerchief or piece of dry cloth, 

 draw the tip of the tongue out of one corner of the mouth 

 (which prevents the tongue from falling back and 



FIG. 1 



choking the entrance to the windpipe), and keep it 

 projecting a little beyond the lips. Let another assistant 

 grasp the arms just below the elbows and draw them 

 steadily upwards by the side of the patient's head, and 

 to the ground, the hands nearly meeting (which enlarges 

 the capacity of the chest and induces inspiration). 

 While this is being done, let a third assistant take a 

 position astride the patient's hips, with his elbows rest- 

 ing on his own knees, his hands extended ready for 

 action. Next, let the assistant standing at the head turn 

 down the patient's arms to the side of the body 



