415 



The symptoms of being choked by carbonic acid are : — 



1. Discoloration of the lips and other parts, the result 



of venous congestion, and of the want of oxyge- 

 nated blood. 



2. Involuntary actions of muscles ; convulsive, not ac- 



companied with pain probably ; and caused by 

 contact of the dark coloured blood with the brain 

 and spinal cord. 



3. Attempts at respiration by the diaphragm and inter- 



costal muscles, lasting, on an averagg^ from a minute 

 and a half to two minutes. 



4. When the efforts at inspiration cease, the pulse of 



the head and arteries is still distinctly to be felt ; 

 and the action of the heart maintains the circulation 

 for two or three minutes longer. 



5. The heart having fairly ceased to act, death is fixed ; 



— recovery is impossible ! 



Treatment 1. If natural respiration continue, leave the 



patient to himself in pure air. 



2. If the efforts of the diaphragm have already ceased, 

 and there be no attempts at breathing, have recourse to 

 artificial respiration without delay. There is no time to 

 lose. In two or three minutes after the last heave of the 

 chest, the heart's action will have ceased, and then all hope 

 is over. 



N.B. The artificial respiration to be persevered in even 

 after the normal one is restored. 



In order to inflate the lungs, and in the hurry, persons 

 are not to seek for syringes, bellows, tubes, &c. A tube 

 of any kind is to be inserted into one nostril, or roll up a 

 card or piece of stiff paper into a cylinder, and by blowing 



