52 CIRCULAR 3 6 9, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



// he has fainted, cause him to inhale ammonia vapor and induce 

 respiration by vigorous movements of the arms, continuing until full 

 consciousness returns. If he is completely unconscious, loosen the 

 clothing, bathe the face with cold water, and, if breathing has ceased, 

 begin artificial respiration at once, using the Shaefer prone-pressure 

 method (see below). 



// he is affected by absorption of gas through the skin, remove 

 clothing immediately, particularly if liquid hydrocyanic acid has 

 been spilled on it, or it is damp from perspiration or other cause. 

 If the patient is breathing, have him inhale ammonia vapors and. 

 where recovery is delayed and the patient is fully conscious, give 

 10 drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia in one-third glassful of 

 water. If breathing has ceased, begin artificial respiration at once, 

 using the Shaefer prone-pressure method; stop as soon as the patient 

 begins to breathe voluntarily. 



If the patient does not respond immediately to first aid, call a 

 physician. Never rush an unconscious person to the hospital until 

 first-aid measures have been applied or until a physician arrives. 

 If possible, when the patient is unconscious, a mixture of oxygen and 

 5 percent carbon dioxide should be administered for 20 to 30 minutes 

 through a specially designed inhalator. Such equipment, however, is 

 seldom available until assistance has been obtained. 



SHAEFER PRONE-PRESSURE METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL 



RESPIRATION 8 



1. Lay the patient on his belly with his face to one side so that 

 his nose and mouth are free for breathing. Place one of his arms 

 straight out beyond his head and the other under his head, with 

 both hands flat and palms down. 



2. Kneel, straddle one of the patient's thig;hs, and face his head; 

 rest the palms of your hands on his loins with your thumbs along 

 the index fingers and with fingers spread over lowest or floating ribs. 



3. With your arms held straight, swing forward slowly for about 

 3 seconds so that the weight of your body is gradually, not violently, 

 brought to bear upon the patient. 



4. Then, leaving your hands in place, swing backward slowly so 

 as to remove the pressure, thus returning to the position noted in 

 paragraph 2. Then remove the hands to allow the ribs to expand 

 quickly, filling the lungs with air. Swing slowly backward to up- 

 right position, thus relieving the muscles of the back. 



5. Repeat deliberately 12 times per minute, swinging forward and 

 backward without interruption until natural breathing is restored or 

 until the doctor arrives. 



Artificial respiration should be continued 3 to 4 hours if necessary. 



Breathing may also be stimulated by sharply striking the soles of 

 the feet with a stick or shoes. This so-called " hot-footing " is done 

 every 2 or 3 minutes during artificial respiration. 



Keep the patient warm by whatever means are available. 



8 These directions are summarized from those given by other authors. Complete au- 

 thentic information concerning this method can be obtained from the U. S. Public Health 

 Service. Washington, D. C. 



U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1935 



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