The methods now available for the treatment in cases of asphyxia or respiratory failure fall into four groups: (1) manual and postural, in which the cubic capacity of the chest is automatically increased and diminished by direct pressure on it with manipulation of the extremities (Sylvester) and by the prone pressure method (Schaeffer); (2) the negative pressure chamber as described and used by Drinker;1 (3) the blind introduction of air or oxygen under pressure into the mouth (by lung motor or pulmotor), pharynx (Meltzer2) or trachea (by direct intubation, as recently described by Dr. Matthew and Dr. Holman), and (4) direct inspection of the field by the laryngoscope, aspiration under vision of both pharynx and trachea, intubation and intratracheal insufflation of a known volume of oxygen and carbon dioxide under measured pressure.
Asphyxia or respiratory failure demands the application of resuscitation by the layman as well