566 
ing stops, the artificial respiration should be re- 
sumed at once. 
6. Artificial respiration is required only when 
natural respiration has ceased. In cases of simple 
unconsciousness from any cause in which natural 
respiration continues, artificial respiration should 
not be employed without medical advice. 
7. The commission recommends that in cases of 
gas asphyxiation, artificial respiration, whether 
given by a manual method or by special apparatus, 
should be combined when possible with the inhala- 
tion of oxygen from properly constructed appa- 
ratus. 
8. With regard to the employment of mechanical 
devices for artificial respiration the commission 
feels that it ought not at present to take a definite 
stand either for or against any particular form of 
apparatus. However, the commission recommends, 
that the use and installation of apparatus should 
be confined, for the present, to properly equipped 
institutions under medical direction. The com- 
mission recognizes the great need of simple devices 
capable of performing artificial respiration re- 
liably and efficiently. It therefore recommends 
careful study of the problem, directed toward the 
development of a reliable method appropriate for 
general adoption.s Such studies can best be car- 
ried on in properly equipped hospitals and labora- 
tories which offer opportunities and facilities for 
critical observation and experimentation. 
Tn view of the importance which the knowl- 
edge of proper methods of resuscitation pos- 
sesses for public health and safety, and con- 
sidering the fact that many practitioners, mem- 
bers of hospital staffs and graduates of medi- 
cine are not thoroughly familiar with the meth- 
ods of resuscitation, especially that of the 
prone-pressure method, the commission recom- 
mends: 
(a) That medical journals (and other scientific 
and practical journals which are interested in the 
problem of resuscitation) be asked to publish the 
resolutions adopted by the commission. 
(b) That a copy of these resolutions be sent to 
the medical colleges with a request that proper in- 
struction in this subject shall be arranged for in 
the College Schedules. 
(c) That these resolutions be sent to as many 
hospitals as possible, with the recommendations 
that members of the house staff shall familiarize 
themselves: with the methods of resuscitation. 
3 See Appendix, 
SCIENCE 
[N. 8. Vou. XLVIII. No. 1249 
(d) In order that the resolutions of the com- 
mission may be brought to the attention of in- 
terested circles (fire and police departments, in- 
dustrial plants, ete.) it was agreed that they be 
communicated to the Associated Press (by the Na- 
tional Electric Light Association). 
Tt was voted that the Third Resuscitation 
Commission should be properly organized and 
continue its existence, ready to respond when 
requirements arise. The following officers were 
elected: 
President—Dy. 8. J. Meltzer. 
Vice-presidént—Dr. Yandell Henderson. 
Secretary—Dr. Reid Hunt. 
Treasurer—Mr. W. C. L. Eglin. 
It was voted to appoint a committee for the 
collection of verifiable data relating to resusci- 
tation. The president appointed to the com- 
mittee— . 
Dr. D. Edsall—Chairman, 
Dr. Reid Hunt—Secretary, 
Professor Elihu Thomson, and the President Ex- 
officio. 
APPENDIX 
The commission consists of fifteen members. 
Fourteen approved the foregoimg report without 
qualifications. The fifteenth member wishes to 
qualify his vote by the following 
Statement 
Dr. Yandell Henderson qualifies his support of 
the resolutions as follows: 
While I concur in a considerable part of the re- 
port of the Resuscitation Commission I dissent 
from the statement in Resolution 8 recognizing 
‘‘the great need of simple devices capable of per- 
forming artificial respiration reliably and efii- 
ciently.’’ 
Devices which are excellent from the mechanical 
standpoint are now available and widely sold; but 
the evidence regarding them: indicates clearly, I 
believe, that even if these devices were on the spot 
where several gassings or electrocutions occurred, 
and if all the victims were treated with them, 
except one who was given manual (prone pres- 
sure) treatment, this one would have much the best 
chance of recovery. In actual practise the appa- 
ratus is seldom right. on the spot adjusted and 
ready. Critical time is lost, and thus in the above 
suppositious cases, as they actually occur, the only 
victim with any considerable chance of resuscita- 
