: SUFFOCATION FROM WANT OF RESPIRATION. 287 
lity, its actions first become irregular, producing violent con- 
 yulsive movements, and at last cease altogether, the animal 
becoming completely insensible. In this condition, which is 
termed A sphyzia, the pulmonary arteries, the right side of the 
heart, and the large veins which empty themselves into it, are 
gorged with dark blood ; whilst the pulmonary veins, the left — 
side of the heart, and the arteries of the system, are compara- 
tively empty. Hence the action of the right side of the heart 
comes to an end, through a loss of power in its walls, occa- 
sioned by their being over-distended ; whilst that of the left 
_ side ceases for want of the stimulus of the contact of blood, 
_ by which the muscular fibre is excited. If this state be 
allowed to continue, death is the consequence ; but if the 
_ carbonic acid in the lungs be replaced by pure air, the flow of 
blood through their capillaries recommences,—the right side 
_ of the heart is unloaded and begins to act again,—arterial 
blood is sent to the left side, and excites it to renewed motion, 
_ —anid the same being propelled by it to all parts of the body, 
_ their several functions are restored, the nervous system Te- 
_ covers its power of acting, and all goes on as before. These 
changes occur in exactly the same manner when a warm- 
blooded animal is made to breathe nitrogen or hydrogen ; 
since these gases do not perform that which it is the office of 
oxygen to effect,—the removal of carbon from the system, in 
_ the form of carbonic acid. And they also take place m a 
_ perfectly pure atmosphere, when the individual is prevented 
| from receiving it into its lungs by an obstruction to its passage 
through the windpipe, such as that produced by hanging, 
strangulation, drowning, &c. For the air in fhe lungs, not 
_ being renewed, speedily becomes charged with carbonic 
acid, to an extent that checks the circulation through their 
satay 3; and all the consequences of this follow as 
| ore. ‘ 
__ 339. The most efficient remedy in all such cases is evidently 
that suggested by the facts stated in the last paragraph— 
1 ‘the renewal of the air in the lungs. But with this, other 
} means should be combined; and the general directions! 
} of Dr. Marshall Hall, with the method of producing artificial 
a ee recoctsonn, Ehatate i intended for the resuscitation of 
POerTson a wn a . . cati 
ipsrensly are slight m ion | 
