J \ *t sg£ „/.„■-.... ^v Of Dr. H U R D's DISCOURSE BEFORE THE HUMANE SOCIETY. Sews ■' • —^caso-sSi AT a Semiannual Meeting of the HUMANE SOCIETT, in BOSTON, June nth, 1799. VOTED, That the Honorable James Sullivan and Robert Treat Paine, Efq'rs. Rev. John McKean, Doctor Josiah Bartlett, and Doctor William Spooner, be a Committee to wait upon Doctor Isaac Hurd, and to re- turn him the thanks of this Society, for his elegant and ingenious Difcourfe delivered this day, and requeft of him a Copy for the Prefs. An Extracl from the Minutes, of the faid Society, JOHN AVERY, Recording Secretary. Concord, June i$th, 1799. Gentlemen, Senfible that my abilities were inadequate to the tajk affigned me by the Truflces ; yet impreffed with a fenfe of the polite- nefs in their appointment, I accepted s excited by the like im- prejfions, I, agreeable to your requeft, though with diffidence, fubmit the publication of my imperfecl production - not doubt- ing but the Candor of the Public will cover it from Criticifm. I am, Gentlemen, with much efteem, your moft obedient, humble fervant, ISAAC HURD. Hon. James Sullivan, Efq; Chairman of the Committee. A DISCOURSE DELIVERED IN THE CHURCH in BRATTLE STREET, in BOSTON, Tuesday, June nth, 1799, BEFORE THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS; ,- By ISAAC H U R D, A. M. FELLOW OF THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY 7 BOSTON: Printed by John & Thomas Fleet, Cornhii l, 1709'. T O JOHN WARREN, M. D. Anat. Chirur. Prof. Herf. &c. &e. PRESIDENT, Rev. SIMEON HOWARD, D.D. Vice President, Rev. JOHN LATHROP, D.D. Second Vice President, AND THE Other TRUSTEES of the HUMANE SOCIETY, OF THE COMMONWEALTH or MASSACHUSETTS, this DISCOURSE Is mofl refpectfully Dedicated, By their Moll Obedient Humble Servant, ISAAC HURD. A DISCOURSE, X HE fubject of our propofed difcourfe has been ably treated by my worthy predeceifors—A juft caufe for diffidence in a perfon not accuftomed to public fpeaking.-— A requeft for your candor therefore, and an earneft defire that you will cover with your Charity the defects of the fpeaker, are fomething more than idle ceremony.---- The Tear of Senfibility, fays Juvenal, is the moft hono- rable Characteriftic of Humanity. There are two principles in human Nature relative to the concerns and enjoyments of the prefent life.—Our firft confcioufnefs is that of our own Exiftence, our own Wants, and our own Pleafures. The natural confequence is, that the idea of efcaping all inconveniences to ourfelves, and procuring our own pleafure, mould be a primary object with man. This we believe to be our firft incitement to Action.--- But ( 6 ) But they who imagine that all the movements of the heart of an individual regard hiinfelf alone, greatly miftake the Theory of human Nature. They can only view our Race through a medium, which tends to mortify and dif- guft a Noble Mind. Man has a principle next, at leaft, in order and ftrength to the love of himfelf, the principle or fentiment of focia- bility. It leads him to love and cherifh others of his kind. And this focial principle is divided and diverfified, a thou- fand ways, and appears in an infinity of forms. The infant, new to exiftence, whofe eyes cannot yet fuftain the flow of light, has nothing of the charms of figure or motion to attract our complacent regards. Yet, let but a man appear, in whofe heart this fuggeftion arifcs, —" This is my fon"—and the little picture of mifery be- comes the moft interefting object in the univerfe. The parental and filial relation is the foundation offen- der Charities, which language cannot defcribe, and which we know by our feelings alone. Goodness from a certain centre, fpreads around like the rays of the fun—Not confined to the domeftic circles, it feeks objects in the remoter relations of life. Innumerable inftances are recorded in hiftory, both facred and profane, in which, Friendfhip has produced ex- traordinary ( 7 ) traordinary effects. One young Hero, in the field of battle, has obtruded his own bread on the enemy's weapons, to fave the life of another, his companion and friend. If Pylades and Oreftes, if Nifus and Euryalus, are mere names in romance—There are not wanting a David and a Jonathan—The apoftle John, and our Saviour Jefus, who honored the name and relation of friendfhip. And may I not add, an Adams and a Wafhington, who are devoting their lives to the falvation of their country. Let the patrons of cold and felfifh intereft maintain felf-love to be the only principle of man's actions; a thou- fand facts, a thoufand inftances there are, to invalidate their theories. Too ill an opinion of mankind, tends more to vice than that which verges to the other extreme. They therefore, are doubly meritorious, who fet examples of kindnefs and humanity. They at once take oft* the contaminating re- proach from human nature, and fet examples of the fublimeft virtues. Our heavenly Inftructor aflerted the focial principle with admired force of eloquence, in his Anfwer to the Queftion^ Who is my Neighbour ? An unhappy traveller lies robb'd, ftript, wounded and almoft bleeding to death, by the way-fide : A Levite came to ( 8 ) to the place and pafled by on the other fide : Next a Priefl came that way, and looked on him, and pafTed by on the other fide. Ye powers of gentlenefs and mercy, what a Prieft was this ! Such Pricfts, God be thanked, are rare in thefe Chriftian times, and rare may they ever be. This Traveller muft die. 'Tis a long, long diftancc from any inhabitants, and no body to help, but a poor Sa- maritan, who hates the Jews from national principles, who has been branded by them, as Schifmatic, and worfhippers of Idols. Surely no help is to be expected from him. How could any object be more remote from felfifh regards ? Yet this ftranger, when he faw the perilhing traveller, had compaftion on him, applied every neceffary and healing remedy, and engaged at his own expenfe, for his perfect reftoration. Go thou and do likewife, was the counfel of our blefled Saviour, to the perfon who confulted him. This corres- ponds with the principles of this Humane Society. The arm of benevolence embraces the ftranger, the remoteft re- lation among human beings. It matters not if the Suf- ferer be remote, an Alien, an Outlaw, or even an Enemy. No difference of colour or climate, Nation, political arrange- ment of religion, or peculiar manners, form any obftacle to your benevolence. It is widely diffufive as the Light, and the Air. Many, whom you never faw, and never will have knowledge of, will, in many inftances, experience the happy effects of your Liberality and Benevolence. Thf. ( 9 ) This (hall in our times, prove an inftance, that mankind are not always moved by felf-intereft, nor does that always bear the principal influence in the Human Heart. This excellent tafteof pleafure, by which man finds his happinefs in doing good, is perfectly agreeable to reafon. Man is placed a weak, dependant creature on this extenfive globe : without the aid of fociety, the mort helplefs of all beings. It is by fociety our wants are fuppiicd, our wifhes completed, and we enabled to defend ourfelves in poffef- fion of fuch comforts as we enjoy. In every diftrefs and every danger, man calls upon his fellow man for aid. It is the common intereft topurfue the fecial principle, and give it the utmoft effect. Yet, here we muft regret the frequent miftakes of man. By what unhappy fate is it, that the deftrudive arts and paflions have more praife and popularity than the ufeful and benevolent ? An Achilles is celebrated in fong, he lives in fplendor, and paffes off'the ftage with pomp and magnificence., While the Inventors of ufeful Arts, and the Improvers of the ftate of Society, often live in indigence and obfeurity. The method of aflbciating in regular bodies, has an ex- cellent tendency to remedy this evil. Virtue receives from aflbciation the juft reward or praife due to her meritorious actions. Approbation properly beftowed, fans the folitary flame, and makes man, every where, alive to a fenfe of honor and virtue. r In ( io ) In fome Nations, the tender and benevolent paflions are rather difcountenanced, and thought diflionorablc, while the ferocious are had in honor. The Savage of the Wildcrnefs, returning from hunting, or fome warlike expedition, is met by his Wife and Children : He regards them in fullen filence, and fcarcely takes notice of all their demonftrations of joy and tendernefs. It is too much condefcention for the majeftic Savage. He fupprefles the feelings of his heart, that he may not be thought to depart from his dignity. But this fame being, fo tenacious of his dignity, left he be fubdued by the fofter paflions, thinks it noble to give way to all the fury and extravagance of revenge. To inflict all the moil exquifite and invented tortures on the helplefs captive in his power, is at the fame time, in his view, a no- ble and worthy action.—Such Arrange ideas of dignity pof- fe'fs the rude and uncultivated mind. The truth is, every Nation is infpired with the object of its worfhip. It poffeffes the like temper with its God. TheSavage, who worfliips the evil Spirit, is animated by the fame infuriate paflions, which that Spirit is fuppofed to pof- fefs. In the utmoft indulgence of cruelty, he fuppofes that he performs a fervice, agreeable to the nature of his God. His temper is from his fuperftition. It is alfo vifible, that where Chriftianity is profeffed in any tolerable degree of purity, devout Worfhippers of the moil benevolent God are generally infpired with the like benevolent fpirit. Hence ( r. ) Hence the many eftabliftiments in Chriftian nations, for alleviating the Miferies of human beings. The worlhipof a God, whom they conceive to be fupremely benevolent, has an influence, which inceffantly moves them to benevo- lent actions. The commands of that religion, require us to confider our focial love, in point of duty, equivalent to our regard for ourfelves. Thou (halt love thy Neighbour as thyfelf. Could the obligation of the focial principle be more clearly expreffed ? In a word, the principle of felf-love and the focial fentiments appear to be fimple and original principles of our nature. Societies inftituted for charitable purpofes, abound in Chriftian Nations, and efpecially, where religion poffeffes the great eft purity. The Hofpitals in England, for difabled Soldiers and Sea- men—for Women who have been deceived into mifery— for the poor of that fex, in circumftances of particular dif- trefs—for Children difowned and rejected of their Parents; are proofs of the active fpirit of benevolence. In this Commonwealth, we are not ftrangers to this fpirit. The groans and tears of diftrefs are heard and regarded. Nor the Chriftian, the free born American, turn by on the other fide. The ( *2 ) The Maffachufetts, the Scots, the Epifcopal, the Cha- ritable Fire Society, and Congregational Charitable Socie- ties, Marine,Mechanic, Mafonic and various other Societies, exifting and acting on the fame benevolent plan and prin- ciple. These are teftimonies of that fpirit, which pervades an American bofom. They declare who that God is, to whom the free born Citizens of Maffachufetts pay their humble and devout adorations. Long may this fpirit remain in our Country—Nor fhall the Humane Society be confidered as the leaft, in the work of focial benevolence. The inftances are few, if any, in which they can be fup- pofed to receive any temporal or pecuniary benefit, from their exertions. They are deeds of expenfe and not of re- venue : Yet, they have a reward, which fhall exceed all the treafures of the eaft. They have the confeioufnefs of do- ing good, of faving the lives of multitudes. The number prcferved by the operation of a fimilar fociety in England, have amounted to thoufands. The Iapfeoftime fhall add great numbers to thofe, who have been prcferved by means of this Society, among ourfelves. The fame labors fhall, here, produce the fame effects, and crown the Authors, with the well deferved Eulogy of meritorious Patriots, and lovers ef human kind. Can ( '3 ) Can we imagine a Charity better directed ? Its object is great and furprifing. Many perfons who otherwifc muft be dead to every purpofe of fociety, as far as their relations and deareft interefts are concerned, will be reftored to life. Whether there were any latent fpring or germ of life, which gave fuccefs to the experiment, or not, may forever remain a fecret. But thofe live, who before, and without this experiment were dead, irrecoverably dead. The thought is aftoniftring—and in an age of fuperftition might be thought profane—but the Author of all wifdom has feen fit to communicate to us the knowledge of the means. A fufhcient indication, as the act is benevolent, that he wills us to carry it into effect. But unlefs the act were evidently good, we might almoft deem it a trefpafs on the myfteries of the invifible world. Can any object be more benevolent ? Facts will demon- strate this, better than reafoning. Behold the man redeem- ed from the whelming waves, laid on the bed, and the benevolent operators around. The cold clay long refills their efforts, and there is fcarce the leaft and moft tran- fient fign of life : Yet the work is continued with afliduity, till at laft the Patient is feen to gafp, then breathes, then raifes himfelf up, and looks around with confternation and aftonifhment, wondering at the folemn fcene. What muft be the exftacy of joy in that aged Father, who confidered this Son, as the prop of his declining years ; the Mother, who. ( 14 ) who ftill more intenfely felt the relation, and ftood in great- er need of fupport: The Brethren and Sifters flock around with elated expreflions of joy in their features, with fpark- ling eyes, and extended arms, and are fcarcely reftrained by violence, the too pathetic embrace. Laft in the group, as laft awakened from ftupefaction and grief, comes the tender Wife, with her lovely Infant in her arms, who fmiies on the reanimated, paternal countenance. She finks, fhe fwoons with exccfs of joy, and drops her little Infant on the knees of her reviving Hufband. Scenes like this, in confequence of your benevolent ex- ertions, {hall often be realized, and a thoufand tongues fhall implore eternal bleflings on your heads. Among the fons of mifery and danger, the fhipwrecked Mariner, has the decided preference. That wretched rem- nant of a numerous crew, are climbing the rocks, dripping with water, and in the utmoft danger of pcrifhing with the cold. The ifland appears a wafte and barren wildernefs— not a veftige of human exiftence is to be feen. It is morn- ing, and the retiring ftorm prefents the broken Veflel in fragments on the fhore. They range the fhore alternately— alternately they climb the cliffs, and gaze over the now calm furface of the fea : they wafte the day in fruitlefs expec- tation. Night comes on, and their minds are funk to the verge of extreme defpair : But with the darknefs which brings their defpair, comes the relief, arifing from the cottage, ( i5 ) Cottage, erected by your benevolent exertions. They fly to the unexpected relief, and recognize the Authors. May fuch prayers and fuch gratitude as (hall then arife from their hearts, meet with acceptance before the Throne of the Omnipotent. The Nature of our civil governments feconds the influ- ence of religion, in cherifhing the fentiments of love and humanity. Every movement of our policy teaches us our intimate relation to each other. Citizens, free and equal in their rights, muft find it policy to cherifli in their hearts, the kindeft mutual regards. Nor fhould any difference of fentiments refpecting the mea- fures of government, for a moment, fufpend the kind offices of humanity. The Republic is like a Ship, in which we are all em- barked, in which all our interefts are included : If we fink, we fink in a mafs ; if we profperoufly fail, all fhall enjoy the benefit of the voyage j all therefore, muftfubmit to the' general fentiment ; all muft obey the conftituted authori- ties. If any thing fhould be amifs, the frequent recourfe to public fentiment, by Elections, muft finally expel every thing difagrecable to the People. Happy the People who are favored with fuch a Government: happy, thrice happy, if they improve it aright. While / ( 16 ) While Chriftianity retains its influence, the fentiments of humanity will prevail. It gives an importance to the being of Man, which vanifhes at once, if Chriftianity be fet afide. They who have fet afide entirely, the hope and fenti- ment of the religious man and the Chriftian, muft find the fentiments of humanity decaying in their bofoms, and even ready to die. But while the fpirit of genuine liberty, and the fpirit of true religion reign—the fentiment of Humanity will ex- pand itfelf with fuccefs. The kind and benevolent paflions and affections of the human heart, will be deemed lefs verg- ing to wcaknefs—and ferocity will not long be thought an appendage of dignity. Human Nature will be fuppofed to wear its moft pleaflng form, when the gentle affections arc predominant and reftricted by the rules of virtue alone. Then the haunt of briars and thorns, fhall become a cultiva- ted garden ; and the rougheft wildcrnefs a fertile field. Then fhall Charity nourifh the fufferer, and the rich man be the patron of the poor—and the labourer be honeft to his employer, on the aflurance of an adequate reward.— Induftry, the Parent Virtue, fhall go through the land, while Peace, Equity and Truth, fhall follow in her train. Could mankind rightly eftimate affairs, they would fee, that to promote every generous fentiment, is to promote their own good : Not immediately indeed, but if we leave our recompence to the Supreme Arbiter of events, it will afTuredly come. The ( *7 ) The fyftem of Providence is full of thefe re-actions— The good which is done by the virtuous, by the eternal law of the univerfe, reverts to them—and the wrong which is done by the injurious, returns to themfelves, and fhall be an adequate recompence for their crimes. The Prefident, Vice Prefidents, and other Officers of this Society, will, together with the Members of this worthy Inftitution, permit me to congratulate them on the Noble, Rational, Chriftian, and even Heavenly work in which they are engaged. A Charity more excellent in its object, if the object be any thing earthly, cannot be imagined by man. The fuccefs with which it has been attended, has been truly aftonifhing. That fo many fhould be reftored to their Friends and Country, once apparently dead, and that the number fhould be continually increafing, is what we fhould not believe, were there any poflipility of a doubt : But the proofs are irrefragable. Envy and malice ftand filent, and confefs your merits : Scepticifm itfdf is here obliged to believe and admire. You, acting on the principles of Piety, and genuine bene- volence to man, (hall not lofe your re .vard. The applaufe of all the good and virtuous fhall follow. The heart of many a Parent, Brother, Sifter, Lover and Friend, fhall blefs you with inexpreflible rapture. Angels and Saints look down with complacency on deeds like thefe. The heavenly harps fhall never chaunt the praifes of conquerors, they fhall q difdain ( 18 ) ' difdain the renown of thofe, who have facrificcd millions to their ambition, and who have thined the inhabitants of the globe, but the praifes of fuch benevolent deeds fhall be in perfect harmony with celeftial ftrings, and be chaunted only next in order to the praifes of God and the Lamb. Pursue thefe pious works with unremitting diligence, with Chriftian faith and patience, and a Name and Place fhall await you, near the Apoftles and Martyrs of our holy religion; an exalted feat, among the fpiri.ts of the Juft made perfect. The cup of cold water fhall not lofe its prize, much lefs fhall the reftoration of life itfdf} be thought unworthy of reward. The rewards of unfading renown will furely follow this Charity to the end of time : Never will they be forgotten, who have reftored the apparently dead to life. You need no monument of fculpture, but they fliall be reared to you. Poetry fliall celebrate itfdf by your praifes. Your deeds fhall outlive hiftory itfdf. Its crown, forever verdant, fhall receive frefh verdure, when mingled with the laurels of your praife. Joy fhall be in Heaven, that fuch virtues are found on Earth \nd to complete the whole of your felicity, in that dav, when worlds fhall diffolve, and earthly monuments fhall be buried in eternal ruin, the Great Parent of the Univerfe, fhall pronounce you his faithful Servants, and affign you a crown of Glory, which fhall never fade. i A P P E N D I X. T"iE Truftees of the Humane Society, having, in their private capacity, been informed of feveral inftances of perfons who had incurred apparent death by drowning or otherwife, and been fortu- nately recovered by the means recommended by the Society, and no communication made thereof ; and convinced that publifhing the cir- cumflances of fuch incidents would be attended with beneficial effefts, hereby requeft the citizens of this commonwealth, and particularly the gentlemen in the Medical line, to communicate to the Corresponding Secretary', all the inftances that have,or fhall come to their knowledge, of reanimation, and the means whereby thofe happy evenrs are accom- plished, with fuch other particulars of the time refpirationwas fufpend- ed, &c. as they fhall think of importance to notice : As it is by com- paring,the fuccefs of different means and operations, that this import- ant art can be brought to perfection. The Truftees are alfo defirous of extending the rewards promifed by the Society for fignal exertions throughout the Commonwealth, and for this reafonthev requeft infor- mation of all attempts of reanimuion, even if they proveunfuccefsful, N.B. The Truftees requeft the fame tavour from the citizens oi the neighbouring States. An Extract from the MinuL's of faid Trvvflees, JOHN AVERY, Recording Sec'ry. At a Meeting of the Humane Society, June nth, 1799. X HE Trustees of the Humane Society, having had frequent applications for reward in cafe:; for which the Conftitution of faid Society doe's not authorize their granting a Premium, wifh their fellow-citizens to be informed, with a view to prevent fruitlefs appli- cations, that the fervices for which faid Society holds out a reward are,. First. That when any accident fhall happen producing apparent death, the perfon vAo fhall firft difcover and endeavour to recover the fubjeft, fhall be entitled to a reward ; but. in ho c:\ie are the Truftees allowed to exceed ten Dollars. Secondly. The Perfon who. fhnll receive into his or her houfe, the body of one apparently dead, with a view that me;i.ns may be ufed for its recovery, is alfo entitled to fuch a comoenfaticn as the Truftees fhall judge adequate. Thirdly. ( »° ) Thirdly. That any perfon who fhall by a fignal exertion, fave another from death, is entitled to a reward in proportion to the rifque and danger incurred. By a fignal exertion the Truftees conceive, muft be underftood fomething more than bearly reaching out the hand, or throwing a rope from a wharf, or a boat, or even wading into the water to hall a man's depth, andrefcuing a man from drowning ; for the principles of common humanity and fympathy are fufficient motives for fuch exertions, but it muft include the endangering his own life or incurring fome damage by impairing the health, or injuring his apparel or other pro- perty. In any or all thefe cafes the Truftees are ready to grant ade- quate reward, when properly authenticated, but do not think them. felves warranted by the regulations of the fociety to bellow them in Other cafes, An ex trail from the minutes of faid Society. JOHN AVERY, Rec. Sec'ry. PREMIUMS adjudged by the TRUSTEES, fince June, 1798. Dollar,. To Henry Lambert for faving the life of a Child of Mr. Hambleton, South StreetDock, - - 4 To Joftiua Hardy and George Rex, for faving a Child of Edmund Stevens, 4 Dollars each, - - 8 To John Wyer, for faving from drowning a Child of Mr. Spear's, 4 To George Geyer, for faving Micah Learnard, - 3 To Abraham Breifmg, for preferving the life of a Child, - 4 To Mofes Hemmenway for fkving aChild from drowning, 4 To Jofeph Coftello, for ditto, - 2 To William Brentnall, for ditto, - .- - 5 To Jacob Freeborn, for ditto, ~ - 3 To John Low, for ditto, - - 4 To Willard Lane, for faving a Man from drowning, - 4 To Samuel Cox, jun. for faving JohnThompfon, - 10 To Jonah Mafon, for receiving into his houfe and aftifling in the recovery of faid John Thompfon, - 4 To Daniel Ball, for faving the life of Jacob Powers, - 2 To Jacob Noyes, for faving a Child, 6 To John Hebden and EbenezerWard, for their exertions in faving the life of Ralph Riddle, - - - 10 Dots, yy ( »1 ) Dots. Cts. 94 H r» 4 67 17 ■ 3° iStaA? c/* Treafurer's Accounts for Tear paft, 1798, To Printing Dr. Walter's Difcourfe, and Junt. expences of femiannual meeting, To an over credit in Collection, by bad money, To Premiums paid, To Jacob Kuhn's Salary, To 600 Dollars in 8 per Cent. Loan, at 1 per Cent. Difcount on 3 Payments made on 500 Dollars, the Treafurer accountable for future Inftalments, - - 598 12^ Contra Cr. By Balance in Treafurer's hands at laft audit, By Collection at femiannual meeting, Bylnterefton funded Stock and Dividends at Bank and Weft Bofton Bridge, By Subfcriptions of Members, By Balance due to Treafurer, Dols. 804 62 J Property in hands of Treafurer, belonging to the Society. Dols. Cents. United States 6 per Cent. Stock,ZMf. 1442, 17 6 per Cent. Principal paid, 86, 65 Ditto 3 per Cent. Ditto deferred, - Maffachufetts State Notes ,5 per Cent. Union Bank Stock, - Weft Bofton Bridge, 2 Shares, coft, United States 8 per Cent. Stock, Maiden Bridge 1 Share, Accumulating Fund on faid Share, United States deferred Stock, 287 98 Dols. 804 62! Dols. Cts. ludit, 53 96 - 59 ids at - 335 44 259 27 - 96 95i »355 708 46 52 83 6o 2113 71 768 4*7 600 *7 140 We ( 22 ) We the Subfcribers appointed a Committee by the Humane Society to examine the Accounts of Rev. Dr. Parker, Treafurer, do find the fame well vouched and right caft, and that a balance of Ninety- fix Dollars, Ninety-five and a halt Cents, is due to faid Treafurer when the remaining Inftalments on the 8 per Cent. Loan to the United States on 600 Dollars are difcharged. We alfo find in his hands the Evidences of the Property enumerated on the other fide. Thomas Dawes, "I p ■Bofton, June 10, 1799. Sampfon Reed, J 1—Jgffg—■' —:— OFFICERS of the Humane Society, chofen Dec. 1798. John Warren, M. D. Prefident. Rev. Simeon Howard, D.D. firft Vice Prefident. Rev. John Lathrop, D.D. fecond Vice Prefident. Rev. Samuel Parker, D.D. Treafurer. Aaron Dexter, M.D. Correfponding Secretary. John Avery, Efq; Recording Secretary. Rev. Peter Thacher,D.D. "^ Nathaniel Balch, Efq; J Jeremiah Allen, Efq; ' Trustkfs. William Spooner, M.D. f ^ustlls. Samuel Parkman, Efq; J James Scott, Efq; J Members deceafed fince the laft Publication. His Excellency Increase Sumner, Efq; Roxbury. Mr. Thomas Adams, Mr. Ephraim May, James Avery, Efq; Machias, Mr. Paul Morrifey, Samuel Barrett, Efq; Rev. Chandler Robbins,D.D.Plymouth Mr. James Cutler, William Sever, Efq; Worcefier, Robert Davis, Efq-, Mr Benjamin R. Welfh. Names omitted in laft Publication. Col. Marfton Watfon, Mr. Samuel Whitwell. Members admitted ftnee June 1798. Mr. William Allen, Capt. James Prince, Francis Green, Efq; Medford. William Sherburne, Efq; Rev Thaddeus M. Harris,DorchefL William Sullivan, Efq; Dr. Ifaac Hurd, Concord. Mr. John L. Sullivan, Mr. Benjamin Joy, Mr. William Whitwell, Rev. Jofeph McKean, Milton. Mr. Charles Williams Winfhip. Mr. John Nicholfon, Dorchefter. ( «3 ) SUMMARY 0/ M« METHOD?/ TREATMENT to be ufeduin Perfons apparently dead from drowning; as approved by thtHu.rant Society of this Commonwealth, andpublijlied by defire cj the Trujiees. V^iONVEY the perfon to the neareft convenient houfe, with his head raifed : Strip and dry him as quick as poffible ; clean the mouth and noftrils from froth and mud. If a child, let him be placed between two perfons naked, in a hot bed. If an adult, lay him on a hot blanket or bed, and, in cold weather, near a fire—in warm weather, the air fhould be freely admitted into the room. The body is next to .be gently rubbed with warm woolen cloths fprinkled with fpirits, if at hand, otherwife dry : A heated warming pan may be now lightly moved over the back, properly covered with a blanket—and the body, if of a child, is to be gently fhook every few minutes : Whilft thefe means are ufing, one or two affiftants are to be employed in blowing up tobacco fmoke into the fundament, with the inftrument provided for the purpofe, or a tobacco pipe, if that cannot be had—the bowl filled with tobacco and properly lighted, being covered with a handkerchief, or piece of linen, foas to defend the mouth of the aftiftant in blowing ; Bathe the breaft with hot rum, and perfift in the ufe of thefe means for feveral hours. If no figns of life fhould then appear, let the body be kept warm feveral hours longer, with hot bricks, orveffelsofhot water, applied to the palms of the hands, and foles of the feet, and this for a longer or fhorter time, as the circumftances of the cafe may diftate. The too cuftomarv method of rolling on a barrel, fufpending by the feet, and every other violent mode of agitdtion, particularly m removing the body from the water, fhould be raoft carefully avoided. —o '■3r- o -2 TJ \ fkx^iiW ^•^»" !*■ ^4 y /-/' C-' V *.*' .^>V;:if