RESUSCITATION (from resuscito, to arouse, to revive), the re. storing to animation of persons apparently dead. Under this term, strictly speaking, should be considered the restoration of all cases of suspended animation, whether arising from disease or as a result of asphyxia ; yet it is chiefly made use of to designate the recovery of persons from this latter condition. The symptoms, physiological con ditions, and causes of asphyxia are fully described under that head ; the treatment of it generally, and of its different varieties, was reserved for the present article. Although the suspensiou of all the vital actions of the system which takes place in asphyxia has originated from the temporary interruption of a single function, yet the derangement which has followed is of so complicated a nature, aud extends to so great a number of importaut organs, that the mere re-establishment of the function primarily disturbed is not immediately followed by the restoration of the rest, and by the removal of all the mischief. The mere introduction of fresh air into the lungs cannot at once restore the action of the heart, or of the diaphragm, and of the other muscles which are concerned in respiration, because those muscles have lost either the whole or the greater part of their irritability, in consequence of having been supplied with venous instead of arterial blood. While the first and principal object is to bring the blood contained iu the pulmonary vessels under the influence of atmospheric air, attention must at the same time be paid to the state of the circulation, and to the restoration of those powers by which that function, as well as respiration, is to be carried on. The first of these objects can be accomplished by the artificial inflation of the lungs; the second is to be attempted by the judicious application of stimulants to various parts of the body. The details of these processes have beeu already
given in the article DIIOWNIN3. But asphyxia may also occur from the presence of foreign bodies in the larynx, which mechanically preveut the inflation of the lungs through the natural passage; in this ease the operation of tracheotomy must be resorted to, and the pipe of the bellows must be introduced into the windpipe through the openiug thus artificially made. In addition to the employment of artificial respiration, and the use of external and internal stimulants, many physicians have recommended blood-letting ; but besides the doubtful advantage which sometimes may accrue from this practice, it is not always possible, and such is especially the case if the asphyxia is of long continuance. In general, the effects of blood-letting would be injurious, and it is now rarely had recourse to unless there are very unequivocal indications of great pressure on the brain. Whatever may be the means that we employ, they should be persevered in till the signs of death are no longer equivocal. Dr. Currie, in his' Observations on Apparent Death,' recommends their being persisted in for at least , six hours; the French writers mention the commencement of rigidity of the as the only criterion of the hopelessness of continuing our efforts. The first signs of returning animation are slight convulsive twitehings in the muscles of respiration, which give rise to gaspings and sighings. By degrees these spontaneous efforts become more regular, and natural respiration is restored; and together with it the circulation returns. The first return to sensation is usually attended with great suffering, aud the utmost attention is required to guard against the dangerous symptoms which sometimes show themselves at this period.