The Royal Humane Society: The Method

Abstract

Though the ‘birth’ of CPR is usually dated at 1960 and is looked on as being a product of late twentieth-century medicine, its constituent techniques and the concept of the resuscitative protocol have earlier origins. In the latter half of the eighteenth century, in both Europe and America, a number of philanthropic societies were founded ‘for Affording Relief to Persons Apparently Dead from Drowning’ (Hawes, 1774, p. 1). The first of these appeared in Amsterdam in 1767. Institutions with similar goals sprang up in Milan and Venice in 1768, Hamburg 1769, Paris 1771, St. Petersburg, London and Norwich 1774, Cork 1775, Liverpool 1775, Philadelphia 1780 and Boston 1786. The list continues until, by 1800, there were over 30 such societies in Great Britain, with the London Society being in correspondence with an equal number overseas.

Many and indubitable are the instances of the possibility of restoring to life persons apparently struck with sudden death.

(Humane, 1774, p. 2)

Henley, June 9, 1776…

Sir,

I take the earliest opportunity to transmit the particulars of my success in the recovery of a child, apparently dead by drowning, which happened in the afternoon yesterday, about four o’clock …. Thomas Mellet’s son of this place, a child between four and five years old, was bathing yesterday in the river Thames, (which runs close by the side of the town). The child accidentally fell down in the river, and was under water above a quarter of an hour. He was taken up, at a considerable distance, to all appearance dead. The extremities and the body were cold, the jaws fallen, and no pulse to be discovered. The person that took him up, suspended him by the legs for some time, then he was immediately taken home, to a house at a small distance, and was laid on the bed between the blankets, when I was called upon for assistance. I diligently pursued the usual methods of strong frictions by warm flannels, stimulants to the nose, and blowing with great force into the mouth down the throat: In about a quarter of an hour there appeared symptoms of life by small gaspings, and as soon as the child was able to swallow, I got down a small quantity of brandy and water, and in an hour the child was perfectly recovered….

I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Wm. Clowes

(Humane, 1777, pp. 14–15)