The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-07-15
Sun stroke---symptoms and Remedy.

The New York Post says the present
season brings its usual harvest of hot
weather and suffering from sun-stroke.
1t gives symptoms and remedies as
follows:
The symptoms of sun-stroke gene
rally indicate a constitution previously
impaired. Sometimes there is active
congestion and apoplectic effusion with
in the Uranium, and in such cases death
generally ensues. But more often the
signs are those of physical, and particu-
larly, cerebral prostration the pulse is
feeble, the cheeks, and in fact the
whole surface of the body, are pale and
ghastly. The blood is defective in
quality, thus impeding the vital pro-
cesses. The heart is evidently the or
gan at fault, having suddenly succumb-
ed under fatigue andexhaustion, though
the head gives IT,, first indication of
danger. ~
Commissions f<ssN times occur, and in
the intervals re are tremblings of
the muscles and limbs, not greatly un-
like those of deliruna trenaens. These
are very common in diseases of debility,
where the nervous system is largely in
volved, but generally do not require
specific attention. Even during the
progress of recovery; there is some
times considerable mental alteration.
The premonitions of an attack are
readily recognized. There is a feeling
of pressure upon the head, the blood
tingles in the vessels, the air seems too
hot and tenuous for breathing. Aper-
son who was once thus affected, teffifs us
that he was cured by Immediately bath
ing the head, arms and shoulders in
water. While undergoing this process,
he experienced a sensation as if burning
Goals were spread over the scalp, but in
less than an hour every oppressive
symptom had passed away. Abrother
of the same gentleman, similarly attack
ed, was not so cautious. He fell to the
ground insensible, while at labor in the
harvest-feld, and after lingering two or
three days, much of the time comatose,
and with what physician mistakenly
termea l end treated as typhoid fever,
was suffered to die
The remedies "laid down M r,fe
books" are alcoholic and ammoniacal
these being "difusive," and
causing an equable circulation of blood
throughout the body, and particularly
the surface. The patient is advised to
swallow the medicine, but if he is &c out
of his head" it can be given by enema.
the head with cold water, and
liniments upon the surface with
the hands, keeping up the friction as
long as may be necessary, will gene
rally answer the purpose. When much
dullness, or stupor remains, coffee and
strong tea are efficacious.
The means of prevention are simple. |
Persons in sound health are seldom at
tackled; previous debility, general de-
preston of the vital forces, unusual and |
excessive physical exertion, violent
gusts of passion, excessive drinking of
cold water, or of alcoholic beverages,
to exposure to the summer
sun or hot fire, create the danger
Careful moderation in these particu-
lars will generally secure exemption.
The Arab, wandering in an arid desert,
on camels milk and few
usually enjoys impunity
his blood is not vitiated by stimulating
food or unwholesome drinking Sir
Joseph Banks spent twenty minutes in
an oven where beef was cooking, with
put harm. Fishermen, for the sake of
protection, sometimes fill their hats
with moist sea-weed; though any large
caves, or even a wet cloth upon the
head, will answer as well. This is an
preventative, and should be
more generally observed by laboring
men.