V ; ( ■ ) w^r, 0' THE INSTITUTION .O F THE Humane Society OF THE Commonwealth of Maffachufetts. FROM a Variety of faithful experiments, and inconteftible facls, it is now confidered as an eftablifhed truth, that the tctal fofpenfioa of the vital functions of the animal body is by no means incompatible with life; and confequently, ihe marks of apparent death may fubfilt without any necefTary implication of an abfolute extin&ion of the animating principle. The boundary line between life and death, or the diftinguifliing figns of the latter, are objects to which the utmofl efforts of the human capacity have never yet attained. Nor can we, with any degree of certainty, p'rononnce, that an animal is dead, until the mod unequivocal proofs of putre* faflioa have been lurnilhed, -Frcm ( 2 ) From thefe facls h might reafonably be ex- pe&ed, that were proper meafurcs to be adopted, efpecially ia cafes peculiarly doubtful, we might frequently be enabled to reftore to full life, and the enjoyment of it, a beloved friend, or a valuable member of fociety. And indeed, numerous fuc- cefsful inllances might be adduced ia the cafes of perfons, who would in a few hours have been con- # figned to an untimely grave; and perhaps have fullered all the horrors of inevitable death, attended with a confcionfnefs of their own terrible iltuation. It is not, however, to be underftood, that any protefs, directed to the above-mentioned purpofe, can be equally applicable to all cafes. For as the attempt mail prefuppofe an entire ftate of the vital organs, it is obvious that thofe apparent deaths, which are confequent upon difeafe, afford, in ge- neral, little or no encouragement for fuch attempts. But in mod cafes of fudden death, the vital organs appear to have fuftained but a very flight injury, and only require a feafonable excitement or the heart to renew their action. Trte exquifite feelings attendant on the unex- pected reftoration of an affectionate friend, or an indulgent parent, a dutiful child, or au intimate companion of our bofoms, after having been fud- denly torn from us, and in imagination numbered with the dead, may be more eafily conceived than defcribed. Nor is the acquifitioo of one defervtng member of fociety an object unworthy the publick attention, Upon ( 3 ) Upon thefe confederations, focieties have been formed in various parts of Europe for promoting attempts to recover perfons from apparent death, efpecially in cafes of fuffocation and drowning. The Humane Society eftablifhed in Great-Britain, in 1774, ^as keen very fuccefsfnl. Within tea years from its inflitution, out of 1300 perfons apparently dead from drowning, 790 have been reftored to their friends and country. Many of them, no doubt, ufeful and valuable men. For an inflitution of this natnre a considerable fund is necelTary. A proper apparatus mufl be procured. And many occafional expences will un- avoidably occur. The caufe of humanity, however, deferves every encouragement. And to promote that caufe, it is to be hoped the benevolent will liberally fubfcribe. A Society is now formed for thefe falutiry purpofes iu this Commonwealth : And the follow- ing plan and arrangements are fubmitted to the infpecYion of the publick. RULES ( 4 ) RULES for the regulation of a Society inflituted in the town o/'Bofton, for the recovery of perfons who meet with fuch accidents as produce in them the appear- ance of death. I. JTHHAT the Inflitution (hall be called The ■ A Humane Societt p//A(? Commonwealth of Mijachufetts. II. That the Society (hall be governed by a number of Truflecs not exceeding twelve, of whom one (hall be the Frefideor, two, Vice-Prefideots, one Treaforer, one recording Secretary, and one cor« re/ponding Secretary. III. That the Prefident, or, in his abfence, 3 Vicc-Prefidenr, with the major part of the Truftces, (hall conflituce a quorum. IV. That the Prefidenr, with the advice of the Truflces, (hall be empowered to call at his plea- fure a meeting of the Society, but that the Society (hall indifpenfibly meet twice every year, namely, on the fecond Tuefday in December and the fecood Tuefday in June, V. That each fubferiber (hall pay into the hands of the Treafurer the fum offtxJAi/lings and eight fence per annum.* VI. That • The n.cawng of this article is, that $o fubferiber flulj pay Isfs than tlvs fum, ( s ) VI. That fuch gentlemen of the faculty, as (hall engage to afford their affiflancc towards pro- moting the views of the Society, {hall give their medical attendance gratis. VII. That the Prefident and Truflees (hall be annually elected by ballot on the flrfl Tuefday in December; and that when a fubferiber cannot attend fuch election in perfon, he (hall be entitled to vote by proxy. VIII. That when any accident (hall happen, producing apparent death, the perfon who (nail firfl difcover, and endeavour to recover the fubjeft, (hall be entitled to receive from the Treafurer of the Society, a fum not exceeding forty-eight fbillings% nor lefs than fix Jhillings, lawful money, at the discretion of the Truflees. IX. That the perfon who (hall bring the 6rft intelligence to one of the phyficians of the Society of fuch accident as is cxpreffed in the preceeding law, (lull be entitled to receive from the Treafurer of the Society, a fum not exceeding nine /hillings. X. That the Truflees (hall appoint forae perfon to deliver a public difcourfe on the fecond Tuefday of June every year, upon fome medical fubject con- nected with the principal objects of this Society. XI. That the recording Secretary (hall keep a fair copy of all the votes and proceedings of the Society, and record all fuch cafes and communi- cations as the Truflees (hall direct. XII. That ( 6 ) XII. That the correfponding Secretary (hall write all letters relating to the bufinefs of the Society, and (hall anfwer all fuch letters as the Society (hall receive, they being previoufly commu- nicated to the Prefident, or Truflees affembled. XIII. The Prefident and Truflees (ball, upon the fecond Tuefday in June, in every year, pub- Jickly adjudge a filver medal, not exceeding the value of one guinea, to the author of the moft approved differtation which they ffiall have re- ceived in the courfe of the preceding year, upon fome medical fubject connected with the principal objects of this Society, and the Society {hall order the fame to be printed at their expence, provided it fhall be agreeable to the author's inclination. XIV. That any perfon, who (hall, by a fignal exertion, fave another from death, (hall receive from the Treafurer of the Society a fum not ex- ceeding thirty fallings lawful money, at the 4if- cretion of ihe Truflees. *■■ » !...... To ( 7 ) To this inflitution a large number of fabfcrip- tions are already obtained. And the following officers have been chofen by the Society. His Excellency Governour BOWDOIN, PreCdent. Doctor John Warren, Second Vice-Prefident, Rev. Simeon Howard, D.D. Treafurer. Reverend John Clarke, Recording-Secretary. Doctor Thomas WELSH,CorrefpondingSecretary, The Hon. Judge Wendell, Doctor Isaac Rand, Rev. John Lathrop, D.D. Reverend Samuel Parker, Doctor Benjamin Waterhouse, Doctor Aaron Dexter! Such gentlemen in this Commonwealth, as wifh to encourage this benevolent inflitution, are re- quefled to apply to either of the Truflees, with whom fubfcription papers are lodged ; and thofe, to whom it is not convenient to apply in perfon, may, on tranfmitting their names, with the fum they incline to fubfcribe annually, have their names entered as members of the Humane Society. frntlMM* M, . U1IVWI THOUGH ( 8 ) THOUGH the following Methods are chiefly adapted to cafes of apparent death from drowning, yet the Society think it proper to obferve, that molt of the means of reltoration herein recom- mended are applicable to a confiderable variety of other cafes, fuch as hanging, convulfion fits, cold, fuffocation by damps, or noxious vapours, the confined air of wells, citterns, caves, or the mufl of fermenting liquors.—The Society have in the molt ellential articles of treatment, followed the recommendations of foreign Societies of a fimilar nature; though they have endeavoured by a few neceffary alterations, to render them more con- formable to the particular circumflances of the country. METHODS of Treatment to be ufed with Terfons apparently dead from drowning. I. r~jPHE unfortunate perfon 'n to be conveyed -*- carefully to the nearefl public or other houfe open for its reception, in fuch a manner as to prevent the extinction of any fmail remains of life that may exift : For this purpofe the head is to be raifed a little, as in bed, and the body fhould be carried in a natural and cafy pofture, as in the fame fuuation. II. The object is to be immediately dripped, and laid on a warm bed, and iheJZin well dried with heated flannel?, the mud and froth to be removed from the mouth and noftrils; if the body was nakei at the time of the accident, it is then to be fnrround- * ed as expeditiouily as pof&ble with a hot blanket, and thoroughly dried with coarfe cloths or flmnels. 111. When ( 9 ) ill. When the air is very cold or moijt, the vatioaa methods of treatment are to be made ufe of neat a large fire, or in a heated apartment. On the other hand, if the weather is warm, or fultry (as in the fummcr feafon) the windows and doors of the rocm. fbould be opened ; and in every other poffiblc way a cool refreshing air obtained ; as it is of the greareffc importance in bringing forward the latent fpaik of life, or in reitoring natural breathing. IV. No perfons are to be admitted into the room* but thofe who are actually employed in exerting their utmoft endeavours for the recovery of the unfor- tunate ; fix perfons are therefore the greatefl number that can ever prove ufeful on fuch occafions; and thofe who arc by-ftanders for the fake of curiofity fhould be requeued to withdraw, as their prefence may retard cr totally prevent the refloration. V. The fmoke of tobacco thrown up the funda- ment fhould be ranked among the carliefl applications \ if a funugatot* fhould not be at hand, the common pipe will anfwer the purpofc of applying this vapour to the bowels. So eafy and important an operation (hould be repeatedly performed, as the good effects of tobacco fmckc have been proved in many cafes. VI. The ikin is to be gently rubbed with warrri woollen clorhs, and a warming pan heated (the body being furrouuded with flannel) may lightly be moved np * A number of thefe inftruments will fcon be procured, and notice will then be given where tl ey (hall be deposited. — When the common pipe is ufed, the fmoke is to be blown with the memh from the bowl, through thefltm, Into the fundament, covering the bowl with a hr.nJkef-5 chief, or thio piece cf linen. C 10 ) up and down the back for a confiderable time. Wooden bottles, filled with hot water, &c. or heated bricks, covered with flannel, may be effia- ciouily applied to the foles of the feet, palms of the hands, and other parts of the body. VII. If a child has been drowned, its body fhould be wiped perfectly dry, and immediately placed in bed between two perfons of good con flit u- tion ; the falurary effects of the natural vital warmth have been clearly proved in a variety of foccefsfal cafes. VIII. The body is to be rubbed with flannels, fprinkled with fpirits, and fomentations of hot rum are to be applied to the bread, &c. and ofren renew- ed. Thenoflrils may be every now and then tickled with a feather; fnujf&nd volatiles fhould be occa- sionally made ufe of, to excite fneezing if poffible. The various means of recovery fhould be made ufe of by the affi/lants for feveral hours, the body is to be gently lhaken every ten minutes, in order to render the procefs more certainly fuccefsfnl; and the boJies of children in particular are to be agitated, by taking hold of their arms and legs frequently, and for a continuance of time. In a variety of in- flances agitation, in conjunction with the methods laid down, has forwarded the recovery of boys who had been drowned, and continued for a confiderable time apparently dead. IX. If there be any fi^ns of returning life, fuch as figh»D£» gafping, convulfive motions, pulfation or a natural warmth, afpeonful of auy v/arra liquid may Le ( II ) be adminiflered ; and if it proves that the power cf fwallowing is returned, then a cordial draught m»y be given in fmall quantities, but not without the direction of a Phyfician. Bleeding is never to be employed in fitch cafes, unle/s by the diretlion of one of the Medical Ajfiftants, or feme other refpe6table gentleman of the faculty, who has paid attention to fuch unfortunate accidents. The methods which have been fo fully recom- mended, are to be made ufe of with vigour for feveral hours, although no favourable ciicumltances fhould arife ; for it is a vn^ar and dangerous opinion to fuppofe that perfons are irrecoverable, becaufe life does not foon rm'ce its appearance; and upon this opinion, an immenfe number of the feemingly dead have been committed to the grave ; who might have been restored to life by refolulion and perfi* verance in the plans of treatment now recommended. Whenever any good has been produced by the means recommended, the perfon who has fuperin- tended the cure is defired to write a circumttamial account of it to the Society. NAMES ( i* ) NAMES of the SUBSCRIBERS. DOdlor Samuel Adams, Mr. Thomas Amory, John Avery, jun. Efq; Jvlr. Jonathan LoriDg Auflin. 2Vlr. Nathaniel Balch, Samuel Barrett, Efq; Jufeph Bart ell, Efq; £. i ox. ad. per annum. *)oct. Jofiah Bartlett, Charlejlown, Mr. William Billings, £. o 12s, per annum. His Excellency James Bowdoio, Efq; £300 Jimes Bowdoin, jun. Efq; (per annum. John Boyle Efq; 3VIr. Samuel Bradford, Samuel Breck, Efq; £100 per annum. Mr. Henry Bromfield, jun. JoHn Brown, Efq; Thomas Bulfinch, M. D. £. 1 o o per annum. Rev. John Clark, His Honor Thomas Cufhing, Efq; £.100 (for one year. Hon. Francis Dana, Efq; Cambridge, £. i o o Thomas Dawes, jun. Efq; (per aunum« Doct. Aaron Dexter, Rev. Jofeph Eckley, Rev. John Eliot, William ErviDg, Efq; Rev. Oliver Everett. Mr. BofTenger Fofter, Mr. William Fofter, Rev. Jdmes Freeman, ( 13 ) Jofeph Greenleaf, Efq; Mrs. Mary Haley, £.3 00 per annum. Mr. Jofeph Hall, Charlejlown, Doct. Lemuel Hayward, Samuel Henfhaw, Efq; Stephen Higginfon, Efq; Benjamin Hitchborn, Efq; Mr. Alexander Hodgdon, £. o 1 Bs. for one year. Rev. Simeon Howard, D. D. Hon. Jonathan Jackfon, Efq; Henry Jackfon, Efq; Leonard Jarvis, Efq; John Coffin Jones, Efq; Doct. John Joy. Dcct. Thomas Kafl. Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, juo. Doct. James Lloyd, Hon. John Lowell, Efq; £. o 18s. per annum. John Lucas, Efq; Jonathan Mafon, Efq; Mr. Jofeph May, Mr. George R. Minor, Rev. John Murray. Hon. Robert T. Paine, Efq; Rev. S3rouel Parker, Edward Payne. Efq; William Powell, Efq; Mr. Henry Prentifs, Ezekiel Price, Elq; ( 14 ) Mr, Samfon Read, John Rice, Efq; Thomas Roffell, Efq; £. 2 8/. per annum, Mr. Jofeph RufTell. Dofr Oliver Smith, Mr. William Smith, Rev. Samuel Stillman, Hon. James Sullivan, Efq; James Swan, Efq; Rev. Peter Thacher, Doct. Thomas Thaxter, Hingham. Doct. David Townfend. Doit. John Warren, Benjamin Waterhoufe, M. D. Jofiah Waters, Efq; Arnold Welles, Efq; Doff. Thomas Welih, Hon. Oliver Wendell, Efq; Doct. Mofes Willard, Roxbury. AN ingenious and very uftful Communication on the fubjecT: of Rejloratim from apparent Death, has been received from Mr. Jonathan Williams of Bofton, from which, as an encouragement for exertion in fimilar cafes, the following facts are extracted.-----A child of Mr. William3, at that time in Nantz, at about the age of 12 days was taken ill, and on the 13th to appearance died.—Mr. Williams immediately determined to try an experiment on his child, and by gentle friction with foft flannel near a fire, in about fifteen mir.ures reflored it to life; though being very weak from a premature birth, it Hved only about 20 hours longer.----- Mr. Williams himfelf, at the age of nine years, fell into the mill-creek—it Jsuncertain how long he continued under water —he was at lergt;* difcovered and taken up breathlefs ; the b;dy v,.i3 piajeu betweeji hot blankets and rubbed on every part .( *5 ) part with hot cloths, hot bricks were applied to the foles of his feet, and alt the other ufual methods v/cr: employed, till every one except his mother was difcouraged, and defifted from the ufe of means; (he alone, however, inde- fatigably pcrfevered, and was rewarded, though not until the end of four hours, with the exquifite pleafure of rcfloring him to life. Doctor Franklin commnnicated to Mr. Williams the cafe of a gentleman, who laboured under a difeafc which he himfelf fuppofed would prove mortal: When he ap- proached the lafl. agonies, his faithful fervant was weeping by his fide—he ordered the fetvant to watch him, and when he had breathed his lad, to get naked into his bed, and as far as pcflible encompafs the body ; then to breathe forcibly into his mouth, and to continue this aft till he fiiouid recover, or become cold.—He punctually obeyed; the gentleman recovered, and lived to relate the ftory many years after. Another well known inftance is produced of a Philadel- phia ge-itleman in France, who about five years fince was fuppofed to have died, and three days afterwards was about to be buried-, when a phyfician prefent happening to look into the coffin, was induced, from the appearance of the countenance, to delay the fcinera!; he immediately made ufe of the common methods; the gentleman re- vived, and is now alive and well in Philadelphia. A number of other csfes have been received, and will be duly noticed by the Society. TT is with tl^e higheft f.uisfadlion that we communicate A to the public the cafe of a Lad, who, fince the infli- tution cf the Society, had fallen through the ice into the mill-pond.—He had repeatedly funk to the bottom, when young Mr. Sloane difcovered him, and without waiting to tike off his clothes, plunged into the waterf and brought him to the fhore ; where by the ufe of proper mfiar.s he was foon entirely reco\c:cd.------ At a meeting of the Truflees Mr. Sloane has been dcc'.'.rcd e- ti-.led to the fum of twenty eight jlj Mings, as a premium fur his fetvices. *£ Ok 3