Northern Star, And Warren And Bristol Gazette

FOR THE STAR.

Messrs. Editors,

What remains to be said under the general head of Asphyxia, constitutes the third variety, embracing suspension by electricity and that from the application of intense cold.— In the first, the whole system appears to be not so much rendered irritable to stimulants as to be suddenly exhausted of its entire stock of nervous power or animal electricity; in consequence of which the limbs are flexible, the countenance pale and the blood un-coagulable. The mode in which electricity is communicated is of little importance; or if it be sufficiently powerful, real or apparent death is instantaneously produced. Upon plants, a stroke of lightning of the same intensity, occasions very different effects, in consequence of the variety they exhibit of conducting powers. Upon some it descends without mischief; upon others to their partial or entire destruction. In the betula alba, or common birch, it never descends the trunk but confines its stroke to the top alone, beating off the boughs in every direction. In animal life, there is also a difference of effect, but only in proportion to the degree or intensity of the electrick shock : and it is curious to observe the nature of this effect. Small doses of electricity prove a powerful stimulus to the nervous function, increase the flow of sensorial fluid and augment the irritability of the muscles ; while a violent shock, as we have just seen, exhausts the nervous system instantly, carries off the entire stock from the fabrick, and leaves the muscular fibres flaccid and flagging. This singular result is extended to the blood in both cases : for its coagulability, or the firmness of its texture, is increased by the application of small doses of electricity, while the stock of lightning that renders the muscles lax and uncontracted, renders the blood loose and uncoagulable. The general principal of medical treatment has already been laid down under the first variety. Stimulants of the most active kind should be resorted to without loss of time: but of all stimulants, that of electricity or voltaism, seems to be especially called for in the present modification of Asphyxia, which in vulgar saying is to apply the hair of the same dog. This however remains problematical as respects the human subject ; experiments on animals fully warrant the practice.

In frost-bitten Asphyxia, or that produced by intense cold, the limbs are rigid and the countenance pale and shrivelled. This variety is always preceded by an insurmountable desire to sleep, which the utmost exertion of the will is unable to overpower. The sleep is in most cases the sleep of death. Captain Cook in his account of his first voyage round the world, has strikingly exemplified this remark in the case of Dr. Solander and Mr. (afterwards Sir Joseph) Banks. Dr. Solander, says he, who had more than once crossed the mountains which divide Sweden from Norway, well knew that extreme cold, especially when joined with fatigue, produces a torpor and sleepiness that are almost irresistible : he therefore conjured the company to keep moving whatever pain it might cost them. Whoever sits down, said he, will sleep, and whoever sleeps will wake no more. Dr. Solander himself was the first who found the inclination against which he had warned others, irresistible, and insisted upon being suffered to lie down. He soon fell into a profound sleep, from which, however, by the exertions of Mr. Banks he was awakened. Several others of the party narrowly escaped, while others actually perished from the cold. In applying the remedial means to this modification of Asphyxia, great caution is necessary respecting the employment of warmth; and particularly where the limbs are peculiarly rigid, and under the influence of frost. In this last case it will generally be found most advisable, in the first instance, as in frost-bitten limbs, to plunge the body for a few minutes, into a bath of cold sea or salted water, at the same time that warm air may be breathed into the lungs and the stomach gently excited by moderate stimulants : for it does not follow that because the limbs and surface of the body are frozen, the central parts have suffered to the same extent. After a short immersion in sea-water the body should be taken out, wiped perfectly dry, laid in flannel in a moderately warm room, and submitted to the friction of warm hands, several persons being engaged in this simultaneously.