Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-07-25
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 25.


&IS- 500 COMMUNICATED.
SUN-SrRoKE, OR Coup DE SoLE1L. As sun
stroke is apt to be common and dangerous at.
lection during the intensity of the wcather's
heat, few practical words upon the subject,
will not be amiss to those whose occupations
exposethem to the direct rays Of the sun. The
first special case on record is probably the one
mentioned in the holy Bible. land Manassas
was her husband, of her tribe and kindred,
who died in the barley harvest. For as ne stood
overseeing them, and bound sheaves in the
field, the heat came upon his head, and he fell
on his bed, and died in the city of Bethula.
While those affected with sun-strose fall. H.
sensible, to the ground, and sometimes die in a
short time, it is, by no means, always fatal III
its termination; nor is it always without pre-
cursory symptoms that indicate an impending
attack It's approach is foretola by an indie
scribable feeling of oppression and depression.
The respiration becomes labored and deep
The face alternates with redress and palor, and
presents an expression of fatigue and debility.
The eyes wear dull look, and the head feels
hot, full and giddy, with occasional sharp pains
in the temples The heart grows trtmulous,
weak and sinking, and the pulse unnatural and
Irregular A tired sensation pervades every
limb, and the hands slightly tremble, and the
voice becomes faint and hollow. The muscular
system Of the whole BODY gives unmisakable
eyid Of an extraordinary degree Of nervous
depression; and if the warning proclaimed by
these symptoms is unheeded by those who are
exposed to the heat Of the sun, and the effort
so work them of IS perseveredi in, all Of them
are soon aggravated and danger and death are
imminent
The premonitory symptoms last from half an
hour to day or more, and when prolonged they
usually subSide at night, and return during the
day, when the cause is brought to act upon the
bGain: but however much Pathologjsts may DIFF
fer a5ont the nature of sun-stroke, or the mode
in which it destroys life, there IS no important
difference among them IN regard to the objects
to be attained In the medical care OF IT, The
meauS used tor its treatment are SIMPLE and
easily procured in almost every locality and
consist in the application of cold water to the
head, and the diligent use Of stimulants inter-
naIly and externally. When Il physician is
which he observes is the proStration and insen.
sibiIity Of the suffering Individual. He finds
his patients pulse feeble and irregular: and no.
tees Spasmodc twitchiDg about the muscles Of
the wrists and lips. The face wears the deep
est expression Of painful haggardnoSS: and the
eyes are either partially closed or shut The
teeth are irmiy set, aud the power OF degluti.
ton is lost It fluid IS forced into his mouth,
no et fort is made to swallow it, and it passes
CUT ut the corners OF his lips. Each respiration
is attended with distressing moan; and bis
extrelnities are cold, and covered with a pro-
fuse and cl&mmy sweat. Everything in his ap-
2earance indicates immediate dissolution; but
fortunately, even from this extreme condition,
many e>ca. death, and arc restored 10 health
without either the mind Or body being injured
Dy tie attack,
The physician knowing his patient TO have
Oeon exposed to intense heat has no difficulty in
recognizing his condition as model case of
sun S'r0Ec, and knowing time 10 be impor-
tau; nndersuch circumstances uses all prOupt-
tudo in the application of restorative measures
lie has his patient placed at one in d cool
;}nd comfortable position, with his head on
ieve! or q little tower than the rest OF the body
and commences his treatment by pouring pitch
crCl after piteherfrl Of cold water upon the
forehead, allowing it to run freely over the
head and face, and continues the process until
some evidence OF restoration is manifested
A. an adiuvant to this, he has mustard plasters
applied freely to the wrists, ankles, aud over
the stomach; and as soon as the patient is able
to swallow the least quantity he gives him, at
pleasure, brandy and water, or whiShey and
water, OF any other stimulant that may be con-
venieut. The effort to introduce fluids into
the stomach, usually escitcs vomiting which is
10 disadvantage, and as soon as the patient is
able 10 swallow, however imperfectlv, his res
1oration may be confidently expected, in a period
varying from an hour to SIX or eight hours. Its
;EluS seen that sun-stroke is not only evident in
Us approach, but we'll marked in its character,
and that any one can apply the simple and con-
yenient means which ale adopted for its cure
In waiting for the arrival Of physician, some
time usually passes, aud this time frequently
makes all the difference between life and death
Therefore when an Individual is ''sua-st,uch'
he should have at once the advantage of the
remedies used for his restoration; and any one
Of his companions can place him in favorable
position, pour cold water upon his head, and
en3eayor to give him brandy and water and
continue this treatment until the physician ar
YiVes who will take charge of the case, and at
tend it IN detail j. B. JOHNSON, NJ. D.
Alexandria, July 90, 1866