Buzz
If you experience cardiac arrest today and are revived through modern medical advancements, consider yourself fortunate. Be grateful it happened now and not two centuries ago, as the methods used back then were not only less effective but also incredibly peculiar.
Many of these strange revival methods stem from the work of William Hawes (1736–1808), a London doctor focused on saving drowning victims. To conduct his experiments, Hawes offered payments to anyone who could deliver a body retrieved from the water shortly after drowning. This macabre incentive was akin to a recycling deposit but for human lives.
Shocked: Adventures in Bringing Back the Recently Dead explores the fascinating and often bizarre science of resuscitation and CPR. Much of today’s groundbreaking research can be traced back to Hawes’ early experiments. His work led to the founding of the British Royal Humane Society, which still exists today. The society tested and documented various revival techniques, some of which were effective, while others were uncomfortable, risky, or outright absurd. Yet, amidst these efforts, the foundation for modern resuscitation science was laid.
1. Rubbing and marinating techniques
One of the initial revival methods promoted by the Society involved vigorous rubbing using coarse fabrics like flannel. Another variation included applying mixtures of vinegar, wine, and spirits. These descriptions resembled a barbecue recipe more than a medical guide.
2. The use of sticks and whips
A less appealing method involved striking the victim with sticks or whips. While it might seem harsh, the logic was simple: if the person revived, they’d likely be grateful, and if not, there was no further harm.
3. Smoke inhalation
Early responders were instructed to light a pipe and blow smoke directly into the victim’s mouth or nose. A rejected variation involved funneling smoke into an animal bladder before releasing it into the rectum—thankfully, the Royal Humane Society dismissed this idea. Setting aside the latter, there’s a peculiar charm in imagining a rescuer pausing mid-crisis, pulling out a briarwood pipe, and meticulously filling, lighting, and puffing it. Such a ritual might soothe distressed onlookers, making it worthwhile even if it lacked medical efficacy.
4. Rolling over a barrel
Another method employed by early rescuers was rolling the victim back and forth over a wine barrel. The reasoning behind this remains unclear—perhaps it aided breathing or expelled water from a drowning victim’s lungs. Regardless, if successful, the barrel could double as a source of celebratory drinks. If not, it still offered a convenient source of comfort.
5. Ivory nasal tubes
Ivory nostril pipes were once highly popular. The Royal Society detailed this device as a short ivory tube inserted into the nostril, designed to press the larynx and prevent air from entering the stomach. The tube extended into the trachea and connected to bellows. This method had logical merit: even today, nasal tubes are easier to insert in overweight patients or when placing a breathing tube proves challenging. For 18th-century doctors, who often lacked experience, this technique provided a more reliable alternative.
6. Flapping the arms
Some methods endorsed by the Society lacked scientific backing. For example, rescuers were instructed to gently lift the patient’s arms above their head and then press them firmly against the chest for two seconds. While this dramatic motion might have entertained onlookers, it likely had no real effect on reviving the patient.
7. The use of feathers
Another dubious method involved tickling the victim’s throat with a feather. Similar to whipping, this approach is hard to defend. It could trigger the gag reflex in an unconscious or semi-conscious person, leading to vomiting and potentially causing aspiration pneumonitis—a serious medical complication.
8. Unusual companions
The Royal Humane Society strongly advised warming the seemingly deceased as quickly as possible. Methods included immersion in warm water, wrapping in blankets, using warm sand, or positioning the victim near a fire. Surprisingly, the Society even suggested volunteers share a bed with the victim, momentarily overlooking Victorian propriety. Whether these volunteers remained clothed is left to speculation.
Warming has its merits, as cold temperatures destabilize the heart’s rhythm. Emergency medicine even has a saying: cardiac arrest victims shouldn’t be pronounced dead until they’re both warm and deceased.
9. The Russian Approach
Contrastingly, the ominously named Russian Method favored cold. Instead of warming, victims were packed in ice or cold water—or simply left outdoors. While cold complicates restarting the heart, it also slows metabolism, potentially reducing brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
10. Lessons on horseback
My personal favorite revival method involves a horse. The process is straightforward: 1) Place the victim on the back of a lively yet manageable horse; 2) Give the horse a gentle slap; 3) Repeat as needed. While the reasoning behind this technique is unclear, the bouncing motion of the horse was thought to mimic the effects of modern CPR, albeit with far more flair. (For the record, I’ve tested this method as the victim, and I can confirm it’s as uncomfortable as it sounds. Do not attempt this yourself).
All images courtesy of iStock.
