EMERGENCIES 289 



of the chest that take place in the act of breathing. 

 While waiting for a doctor, wipe out the mouth of 

 the rescued person as far back as you can reach with 

 a finger covered with several thicknesses of cloth, 

 to remove anything that may be obstructing the 

 mouth or windpipe. Strip off any clothing that may 

 hinder breathing. Then turn the patient on his face, 

 and, grasping him under the abdomen, quickly jog 

 him up- and down to expel the water from the breath- 

 ing passages. To further assist this end, rest the 

 patient's face on his arm with a large roll of clothing 

 under his abdomen, and, placing a hand on either 

 side of the small of the back, press heavily. 



Then turn him on his back, and if breathing has 

 not commenced, give him several hard slaps over 

 the pit of the stomach. Artificial respiration should 

 now be immediately tried. What is known as "Syl- 

 vester's Method" is generally regarded as the best. 



After wiping out the mouth and expelling the water 

 as previously directed, place the patient on his back, 

 with a large roll of clothing under his shoulders. 



Then pull out his tongue and have another person 

 hold it to keep it from going back to obstruct his 

 windpipe. If no helper is at hand, the tongue may 

 be held out by a rubber band fastened under the 

 chin. Another way is to push a pin, needle, or some 

 other sharp instrument through the tongue about half 

 an inch from the tip. This will rest against the upper 

 and lower lips and keep the tongue from falling back. 



