The History of Resuscitation Timeline 3000 BC – Mayan
hieroglyphics and cave drawings indicate that they and the
Peruvian Incas in South and Central America performed rectal
fumigation to attempt resuscitation. This involves blowing hot
air or smoke into the rectum of the casualty. 896 BC – “Then he
got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to
eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the
boy’s body grew warm.” (2 Kings 4:34) 1000 AD – A Muslim
philosopher and physician known as Avicenna performed the first
known experimental intubation of the trachea. Gold, silver, or
other metals were used in an effort to support inspiration. 1500
AD – The Heat Method and flagellation were invented and tried.
The heat method consisted of placing coals and hot ash onto the
victim to counteract the cooling that death brings to the body.
Flagellation involved whipping the patient to stimulate a
response. These methods were both highly successful in awaking a
deep sleeper, but futile resuscitat