2. Asphyxia elec′trica:—Cause. Stroke of lightning or electricity.—Symp. Countenance pale, limbs flexible, blood incoagulable.
3. Asphyxia mephit′ica:—Cause. Inhalation of irrespirable gases or fumes.—Symp. Countenance pallid, lips wan, &c.
4. Asphyxia suffocatio′nis:—Cause. Suffocation or strangulation, as from drowning, hanging, &c.—Symp. Countenance turgid and livid.
Treatm., &c. No general rules can be given exactly suitable to each variety. Whenever it is possible to procure medical aid, it should, of course, be immediately sought, as the delay of even a single minute may render it unavailing. In the treatment of suspended animation the principal object is to effect a restoration of the respiratory and circulatory functions; the former of which has been arrested by the external condition of the patient; the latter by the contact of morbidly carbonised blood with the capillary vessels of the lungs. The first thing to be attempted is the restoration of warmth by active friction with the warm hands, flannels, &c.; the second, the re-establishment of natural respiration by an available means, of which, perhaps, none is simpler or better than alternate pressure and its relaxation, applied to the thorax and abdomen, so as to induce expiration first, and inspiration immediately afterwards, by the natural action and elasticity of the ribs and diaphragm. Cold water may also be suddenly dashed on the face and general surface previously warmed by the frictions, in the hope of inducing a more decided inspiration. If these measures fail, artificial respiration should be promptly had recourse to. (Dr Marshall Hall.) The warm bath, and slight electrical shocks, or continued streaming electricity, may also be applied.
See Charcoal, Cold, Drowning, Hanging, Respiration (Artificial), Sewers-gas, Strangulation, Suffocation, &c.
ASPHYX′IATED. Syn. Asphyxia′tus, L.; Asphyxié, Fr.; Asphyktisch, Scheintodt, &c., Ger. Affected with or labouring under asphyxia. (See above.)
ASP′IC†. Spike lavender or French lavender; also the male lavender, spica nardi, or pseudo-nardus of old writers.
Aspic. In cookery, “savory jelly extracted from the succulence of meat.” (Soyer.)
Prep. (Miss Acton.) Calf’s feet, 2 in no.; veal, 4 lbs.; ham, 3 lb.; onions, 2 (large); carrots, 3; water, 1 gall.; boil 5 or 6 hours, or until reduced to less than one half, strain, and when cold, put the jelly into a stew-pan with the whites of 4 eggs well beaten, a large bunch of savoury herbs, 3 blades of mace (in shreds), a teaspoonful of white peppercorns, and salt, q. s.; keep it well stirred until pretty hot, then let it gently simmer for about 15 minutes, and, after settling, pass it through a jelly-bag till quite clear. After cooling a little, it is fit for use; or it may be allowed to cool and be at any time remelted. French cooks commonly flavour it with tarragon-vinegar, added after clarification.
Uses, &c. “Cold poultry, game, fish, plovers’ eggs, truffles, and various dressed vegetables, with many other things often elaborately prepared, and highly ornamental, are moulded, and served in it, especially at large déjeûners and similar repasts. It is also much used to decorate raised pies and hams, and for many other purposes.”[93]