Drowning
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Drowning. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
death by suffocation, owing to the mouth and nostrils being immersed in liquid. Complete insensiity arises in from one to two minutes bility after submersion, recovery being still possible; death occurs in from two to five minutes. As long as the heart continues to beat, recovery is possible; after it has ceased, it is impossible. Newly born children and young puppies stand submersion longer than the more fully grown. Various methods have been de- Society, produces deeper inspiration than recommended by the English Humane any other known method. That known as the "direct method," introduced by Dr. Benjamin Howard , of New York, effects the most complete expiration. ful when no assistance can be had: These instructions will be found usepatient unless in danger of freez- Arouse the Patient . - Do not move the ing; instantly expose the face to the air, toward the wind if there be any; wipe dry the mouth and nostrils; rip the clothing so as to expose the chest and waist; give two or three quick, smarting slaps on the chest with the open hand. immediately as follows: If the patient does not revive, proceed Chest. - Separate the jaws and keep To Expel Water from the Stomach and them apart by placing between the teeth patient on his face, a large bundle of a cork or small bit of wood : turn the tightly rolled clothing being placed beback over it for half a minute, or as neath the stomach ; press heavily on the long as fluids flow freely from the mouth. To Produce Respiration. If no assistance is at hand and one person must with the shoulders slightly raised on a work alone , place the patient on his back folded article of clothing; draw forward the tongue and keep it projecting just beyond the lips; if the lower jaw be lifted the teeth may nay be made to hold the tongue in place; it may be necessary to retain under the chin and tying it over the the tongue by passing a handkerchief head. and draw them steadily upward by the Grasp the arms just below the elbows sides of the patient's head to the ground, the hands nearly meeting. Next lower the arms to the side and press firmly downward and inward on lower ribs, drawing toward the patient's the sides and front of the chest over the head. Repeat these movements 12 to 15 times every minute, etc. JOSEPH, a French moralist and his-
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
death from being under water. In trying to breathe, a drowning person fills his lungs with water. Death ensues, not on account of the water, but from suffocation, that is, the drowning person cannot obtain air. Struggling ceases in from four to six minutes. If a person has not been under water more than ten or twenty minutes, an effort should be made to set up artificial breathing. The patient should be laid face downward on a roll of cloth, or anything that will elevate the chest above the level of the face. This will permit a portion of the water to run out. The patient should then be rolled over on the side to induce an artificial gasp, and rolled promptly back on the breast again. This should be done every four or five seconds, that is, twelve or fifteen times per minute. The weight of the body on the chest drives the air and water out. Turning the body on its side removes the pressure, and air enters the chest. The operation should be kept up indefinitely. Instances have been known where life reappeared after several hours of work of this sort. In the meantime, others should make every effort to remove wet clothing and to dry the body, particularly the arms and legs, and wrap them in warm, dry blankets. See Swimming