Page 267 - My FlipBook

ETHER—ANAESTHESIA. 205

twist of handkerchief around the crossed wrists will keep them
there,) Rip or strip clothing from waist and neck.
Position of Operator.— Kneel astride the patient's hips ; place
your hands upon his chest, so that the ball of each thumb and
little finger rests upon the inner margin of the free border of the
costal cartilages, the tip of each thumb near or upon the xiphoid
cartilage, the fingers fitting in the corresponding intercostal
spaces. Fix your elbows firmly, making them even with your
sides and hips; then —
Jetton of Operator.— Pressing upward and inward toward the
diaphragm, use your knees as a pivot, and throw your weight

slowly forward two or three seconds until vour face almost
touches that of the patient, ending with a sharp push, which
helps to jerk you back to your erect kneeling position. Rest
three seconds, then repeat this bellows-blowing movement as be-
fore, continuing it at the rate of seven to ten times a minute,
taking the utmost care on the occurrence of a natural gasp,
gently to aid and to deepen it into a longer breath, until respira-
tion becomes natural. When practicable, have the tongue held
firmly out of one corner of the mouth with thumb and finger
armed with a dry cotton rag.
Very frequentiv during the early stages of the administration
of an anaesthetic the patient may " forget to breathe," even before
the ability to perceive peripheral irritation is lost. Even later in