SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
561 
observation and experiments. The committee has undertaken to do this 
in a very elaborate series of experiments on the dead subject, and it has 
now fully determined the best method of introducing air into the lungs. 
The method of restoring the action of the lungs in cases of drowning, 
introduced last year by Dr. Silvester, may now be considered to be satis- 
factorily proved to be the best known. 
The volume of air inspired, as found upon actual measurement, in Dr. 
M. Hall’s plan “to imitate respiration,” varied much, from a few cubic 
inches to 8 or 10 inches, but never exceeding 15 cubic inches. In Dr. 
Silvester’s plan it was found, on extending the arms upwards, a volume of 
air was inspired into the chest which varied from 9 to 44 cubic inches, and 
by bringing down the patient’s arms gently, and firmly pressing them against 
the sides of the chest, so as to diminish the cavity of the thorax, and by 
alternating these movements, a regular exchange of air was produced, the 
quantity of which in several instances exceeded 30 cubic inches, and in 
one instance amounted to 50 cubic inches. 
The committee recommends that the plan of Dr. Silvester should be 
employed in the following manner : — 
The body laid on its back (on a flat surface, or a plane slightly inclined 
from the feet upwards), a firm cushion placed under the shoulders, the 
head kept in a line with the trunk. The tongue should be drawn forward 
so as to project a little from the side of the mouth ; then the arms should 
be drawn upwards, until they nearly meet above the head, the operator 
grasping them just above the elbows, and then at once lowered and re- 
placed at the side. This should be immediately followed by moderate 
pressure, with both hands, upon the lower part of the sternum. This 
process is to be repeated about twelve or fourteen times in the minute. As 
regards facility of application, the plan recommended by Dr. Silvester is 
equally or perhaps more effective than the Marshall Hall plan. 
OPHTHALMIC SURGERY. 
Atropine Paper. — Mr. Streatfield has just introduced a portable and 
convenient substitute for the solution of atropine in ordinary use. He has 
used green tissue-paper which has been steeped and dried with the solution 
of atropine, so that one-fifth of a square inch contains enough atropine to 
dilate the pupil. The small piece of paper is wetted and placed under the 
lower eyelid, where it causes no pain or inconvenience for the short time 
required to dilate the pupil. In many cases this small scrap of paper has 
been found to cause less irritation than the drops of the solution of sulphate 
of atropine in general use. 
The Ophthalmoscope . — A binocular ophthalmoscope has been invented by 
Mr. Carter, formerly of the Kent County Ophthalmic Hospital. The 
“ Ophthalmoscopic Atlas” of Liebreich is a valuable addition to ophthalmic 
surgery ; it contains twelve well-executed plates, indicating the most 
interesting appearances in those parts of the eye which have hitherto been 
recognized by the best observers in the new science of ophthalmoscopy. 
The Calabar Bean . — During the last few weeks observations have been 
going on in some of the London and provincial hospitals to test the 
properties of the Calabar or ordeal bean in ophthalmic surgery. 
