Resuscitation from apparent death by drowning. 251 



shrill voice in the chase; the dose was repeated with the same 

 effect, until the gas was consumed ; he was placed by the 

 fire, in warm blankets, friction constantly applied, and a 

 strong dose of diluted volatile ammonia, forced into his stom- 

 ach; his body and limbs became relaxed; his respiration 

 short and rapid, with subsultus tendinum. 



This experiment commenced at one o'clock, and at eleven 

 that night, he raised himself on his feet, and made a few fee- 

 ble steps ; the next morning, he left his bed, in the kitchen, 

 and walked to his kennel, a distance of fifty yards; but du- 

 ring the second, and also the third day, he suffered under a 

 total anorexy; I ordered an enema of sulphate of magne- 

 sia, and the following night, tinct. opii 11 drachms. On the 

 fourth day betook a small portion of meat; on the fifth and 

 sixth days, he shows the marks of excessive atrophy ; in fact, 

 his vital functions are restored, but I am candid to say, those 

 of the animal will (I fear) never be fully regained. 



I have been minute with this case, not from a belief, that 

 it is the first instance of the revival from asphyxia, by oxygen 

 gas, fori have read of one, and one only; and that arose 

 from carbonic acid gas, inhaled for experiment, by a Prof. 

 Higgins, in Europe ; but I have never met with a case of re- 

 covery from apparent death by dr(»wning, and if any exist, 

 they are rare ; it is certainly a subject worthy of attentive pros- 

 ecution. I have the honor to be yours very respectfully. 



Joseph E, Muse. 



In answer to a request, that the history of the case might 

 be continued, the editor received the following: — 



Letter II. 



Cambridge, Md. April 24, 182,9. 



Bear Sir — In reply to your inquiry, I am gratified to be 

 enabled to state, that my experiment, in the case of asphyxia 

 has become more perfect. In the course of eight or ten days, 

 after my communication to you, the health of the subject be- 

 gan to improve rapidly and his wppetite, repletion and viva- 

 city, now indicate a thorough renovation of the animal func- 

 tions ; which candor had compelled me to declare, I did not 

 then anticipate. 



One other incident may be worthy of notice, — that his 

 voice, which was naturally sharp and shrill, has astonishingly 

 altered into the full and coarse ; though his cough, resulting 



