It took some time before this story was told by Mrs. Elmer Geldmeier. Several weeks ago she choked on a piece of meat and was revived by her husband. He had read an article on what to do in such an emergency.
Today, the kindergarten teacher at Sixth Street school carries a newspaper clipping in her purse. It tells how to dislodge meat or some other object in the throat of a person.
"I'm just thankful Elmer knew what to do," she said. Her eyes moistened as she told the frightening story:
The Geldmeiers stopped at a drive-in restaurant in Lincoln and were enjoying sandwiches and visiting while sitting in their car.
Suddenly it happened. A piece of meat lodged in her throat.
She got out of the car, gasping for air. Her husband got behind her, wrapped his arms around her stomach, lowered her and lifted her up several times.
"I was holding my head up, and I know now that was the wrong thing to do. It just made it worse."
Mr. Geldmeier's pressure on her stomach and the kneeling movement made her lower her head just enough at the time he applied pressure on her stomach . . . the piece of meat was dislodged. She was breathing normally.
The Nebraska City Rescue Squad Emergency Medical Training (EMT) requires the abdomen pressure as one of the methods of dislodging a foreign object in the throat.
"Quickly place the patient in a head-down position over the edge of a bed or chair and attempt to dislodge the foreign body by concussion — by hitting the patient on his back between the shoulder blades or by quickly compressing the abdomen for an instant to force air out of the lungs and dislodge the foreign body."
The rescue squad book says that the head must be lower than the body and the sharp, but not crushing blows, should be made with the heel of the hand over the spine between the shoulder blades.
Rescue training also directs that the emergency effort be repeated when the object won't dislodge, and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation started immediately. "Even a small amount of oxygen forced into the patient's lungs under these circumstances may be enough to maintain his life until a doctor can take over treatment."
The final rule for all EMT squadsmen: "Never give up your rescue effort."
Mrs. Geldmeier's newspaper clipping by Dr. Henry Heimlich, a Cincinnati surgeon, provides similar steps to dislodge the foreign object. Both procedures require the person helping the patient to get behind him, put his arms around the person's abdomen and pressing forcefully and rapidly several times. The doctor says also the patient's head must be lowered.
No one has to give the Geldmeiers any step-by-step lesson. They've had it! It was a frightening experience, but it has a happy ending.
"And now, I think more people should know what to do in such an emergency," Mrs. Geldmeier said. "I'm just thankful Elmer read that article."
I learned more in a few minutes about Ak-Sar-Ben and horse racing after listening to an entertaining talk by Mort Porter than I've been able to gather by myself.
Mort and I have at least one thing in common: We don't bet on horses. He can't because he's secretary of the State Racing Commission and I prefer Tripoli.
He told Optimists that race tracks generate their own money power to the tune of $95 million at the five tracks in Nebraska last year. And when the bills are paid the rest of the money goes to the fairs.
Mort has several interesting stories about his job. He's a man who wears two hats, as an orchardist and as secretary of the commission. There are irate bettors (losers?), he explained, but the picture at the finish line generally settles any serious trouble.
There also have been troubles with jockeys. In one instance, a jockey was suspended when he was found with a device in his hand that was to be used to stimulate his horse.
A substitute rider mounted the thoroughbred and the animal won first place anyway.
He pointed out that a loss at a track means revenue for fairs and last year Otoe county and the other 92 counties in the state each received $1,400.
The unsigned card.
We generally don't pay too much attention to unsigned cards or letters, but when they come to this desk in living color of two good lookers in bikinis, they deserve a good, solid look.
This one came in the mail shortly after we printed the Page 1 picture of the bikini clad manikin in Livingston's display window.
The message on the card:
"Thanks for the nice picture you took of our outfits. (Signed) The Twins."
(P.S. The picture has been displayed in an appropriate place on the wall in front of this typewriter. I haven't had so much fun since I stopped using toilet paper).
Congratulations
— To Mrs. Gayle (Jessie) Steinkuhler on her installation as worthy matron of the eastern Star chapter at Douglas.
— To Joe Bataillon (double congrats) for his appointment to the Douglas county public defender's staff and to the young couple on the birth of their daughter.
The Optimist club is feeling the economic crunch. President Ivan Boerner announced the other day that the club will no longer co-sponsor the Senior High athletic banquet with the Pioneer Booster club. The club is short of money, was the explanation.
The club's only money-raiser is selling Christmas trees and although receipts were about $400, that will be used to pay the bills for other boys and girls projects.
The Bob Schneider trophy for the outstanding Pioneer linemen will still be presented each year by the Optimist club.
Lloyd "Bus" Wymore is wearing a special hat. He is worshipful master of Western Star Lodge No. 2 and as such he wears the silk top hat as master of the lodge. That's an accomplishment cherished by all past masters.
We remember well the night that the late Dr. D. K. Phillips donned the special hat. Those special moments were shared by a lot of his close friends.