ASPHYXY
Legal Dictionary -> ASPHYXYSearch:
ASPHYXYASPHYXY, med. jur. A temporary suspension of the motion of the heart and
arteries; swooning, fainting. This term includes persons who have beenasphyxiated by submersion or drowning; by breathing mephitic gas; by theeffect of lightning; by the
effect of cold; by heat; by suspension orstrangulation. In a legal point of view it is always proper to ascertainwhether the person who has thus been deprived of his senses is
the victimof another, whether the injury has been caused by accident, or whether itis. the act of the sufferer himself. 2. In a medical point of view it is important to ascertain
whether theperson is merely asphyxiated, or whether he is dead. The following generalremarks have been made as to the efforts which ought to be made to restore aperson
thus situated, 1st. Persons asphyxiated are frequently in a state of only apparentdeath. 2d. Real from apparent death, can be distinguished only byputrefaction. 3d. Till
putrefaction commences, aid ought to be rendered to personsasphyxiated. 4th. Experience proves that remaining several hours under water doesnot always produce death.
5th. The red, violet, or black color of the face, the coldness of thebody, the stiffness of the limbs, are not always signs of death. 6th. The assistance to persons thus
situated, maybe administered by anyintelligent person; but to insure success, it must be done withoutdiscouragement for several hours together. 7th. All unnecessary
persons should be sent away; five or six are ingeneral sufficient. 8th. The place where the operation is performed should not be too warm. 9th. The assistance should be
rendered with activity, but withoutprecipitation.
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