[History of Resuscitation: 3. Development of Resuscitation in the Mid-18 Century-3: Artificial Respiration].

Abstract

In the mid-18th century, resuscitation attempts started of "apparently dead" people as a result of drowning or other causes. In this article, I describe development of artificial ventilation. It was already rec- ognized in the mid-18th century that early initiation of artificial ventilation was the main factor for successful resuscitation. The oldest remaining record of mouth-to- mouth resuscitation performed was on November 11th 1732, by William Tossach, and John Fothergill in Edin- burgh, and this encouraged lay people to do this pro- cedure. Monro Secundus, Kite and Cullen attempted to ventilate via a tube which was inserted to. the mouth, nose or into the trachea. Gastric insufflation was pre- vented by a plug to the upper esophageal inlet and by cricoid pressure.