Maryland free press., 1866-07-26
Something aboqt Spnstreke,

The presert intensity of solar heat has,
as usual, given rise TO q considerable NUM-
Der of fatal results consequent upon direct
exposure to its influence. * few words of
informatios upon the satuve of this dan.
gercus affection will. .asnV doabt, be inter-
esting. and msy also have tbeir;use. in ena-
bling the reader 10 avoid 80 soddep an exit
from sublolar existence. -.
1t is rather a siSxular fact thst tsunstroke
is more fatal and mere Feeucatin the
temperate than iu, tire tefrid soBe.do New
York has more cases tEaB Havana or Rio,
in proportion to population; even IN lQuc-
BIC the danger is quite as great, in the few
days Of intense heat allotted 10 that region
as in any part of the world. The iBdica-
tons of the thermometer are very imperfect
guides in regard to the action Of heat upon
the animal frame. '.The true Indication
of the force Of the solar rays" says Her
schtl, "wouId seenl to be not statical effect
on the thermometer, but their monetary
intensity measured by the velocity with
which they communicates heat to an absor-
bent body" 1t is this 'momeutary intcn-
sity" which causes the phenomenon Of sun
stroke, and which seems to be greater
in regions without than within the trop-
les. -...I,5 ",s..o .u3a oui" .,t sfas,a liz
When the head is exposed tothe SUMS
rays in times of their greatest intensity,
the heat seems often t, cause instant in
fiammatory action in the contents of the
skull The sufferer experiences intense
headache, succeeded by vomiting; be then
falls breathless, and unless instant assis7
tance be given, turns black in the face and
expires. Victims ofsunstroke are most
often laborers, and Intoxicating drinks
strongly prcdispose 70 this sudden iiifalhl
nation of the craniai organs. Any con-
striction about the neck, from tight craT
watts Or collars, also predisposes. TO sun.
stoke, and generally, any depressing agents,
either mental or pLysical, lessen the re-
sisting power Of the body to this as to other
diseases. - "a sh!r sHi- f|.s ''.9 is
Terrestrial radiation Of the suns h,a
seems to bear an Important part in the pro-
duction of sunstroke .At ea,, and on
small islands, such result Is 'vjry uncom-
mon, 10 matter how intensely the suns
rays beat. down; while iuland. and espcci-
ally in large cities. where stony pave
ments and long ranges Of buildings COM
bine to add their radiant caloric, TO the d.
rect action o.thcH sun, fatal cases inost
often occur. '''' - Z
One of the best proteetives against sun.
stroke is the sun ualbrellas,o universally
used in our Southern cities, but rarely
seen at the Norrh. where, during our
short but fiery summer, they are even
more necessary. II, in addition TO this,
cravats and dress hats are discarded, the
hair clipped close, all alcoholic beverages
strictly eschewed, anlmaiif6od reduced to
minimum, and ice, drinks. water, soda
water or lemonade, freely but tcmperately
inqulged in, we may confidently continue
our usual outdoor avocations without dam
ger. ''""hl ~ s''ti ~ '' ''''" - =
Laboring men, who cannot carry sun
umbrellas, will find their greatest safety
in teetotalism, at least during the heated
term, with frequent washing, of the head
in cold water while at work in the sun,
and immediate abahdonment of labor on
thooccurencc Of dizziness or sickness at
the stolnach For one sun!struck. tile
most effective plan is, remeval to shelter,
free application Of cold water to the head
water to drink if the patient can swallow,
and medical aid without delay A favor
ite treatment ef7sun- stroke in the army
said to have been very successful, was the
continuous dashmg of the PATIENTS body
with cold water until revival took, place
| often for an hour or more-with plenty
of water to drink, When swallowing was
possible. A trial Of this iri civil pfactice
! is certainly justifable, seeing that under
the usual treatment every case. terminates
fatally.-Boston ,Comn,er.,oa .sw 19nGi