Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-07-19
Something About Suu,troLe

The recent Intensity of solar heat has as
nsual, given rise TO considerable number of
Iatal res ults. conseq uent upon direct exposure
to Its influence. A few words of Information
upon the nature Of this dangerous affection
VIII, no doubt, be interesting, and may also
nave their use in enabling the reader To ayo,d
so sudden an exit from subsolar existence.
IL is rather singular fact that suustroke is
more fatal and more FREQ uent in the temperate
than IN the torrid zone New York has more
cases than Havana or Rio, in proportion 10
population; even in q uebec the danger is quite
as great, IN the few days of intense heat al
lotied to that region, as in any part of the
world. The indications 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 Herschel, "would seem to be, not the sfati-
cal effect on the thermometer. but their mo-
mentary intensity measured by the velocity
with which they communicate heat TO an
abforbent body" Its the ''momentary in
tenslty'' which causes the phenomenon of sun
stroke, and which seems 10 be greater in
regions without than within the tropics.
When the head is exposed to the suns rays
III umes OF their greatest intensity, the heat
seems often TO cause instant infiammatory ac
ton in the contents of the skull. The sufferer
experiences intense headache, succeeded nv
vomiting he then falls breathless, and, unless
instant assistance be given, turns black IN the
lace and expires. Victims of sunstroke are
most often laborers, and intoxicating drinks
strongly predspose TO this sudden in Illumination
OF the cranial organs. Any construction about
the neck. from tight cravats or collars. also
predlspose 10 sunStroke, and generally any
depressing agents, mental or physical, lessen
the resisting power of the body TO this as to
other diseases.
Terrestrial radiation of the suns heat seems
TO bear an important part in the production
OF sunstroke AT sea, and on small islands,
such result Is very uncommon, no matter
how intensely the sun rays beat down: while
inland, and especially in large cities, where
stony payements and long ranges of buildings
combine 10 add their radiant caloric TO the di-
rect actien of the sun, fatal cases most often
occur
One of the best protectives against sun
stroke is the sun umbrella, universally used
In our southern lcities, but rarely seen at the
North, where during our short but fiery sum-
mer, they are even more necessary. If, in ad-
dItiOn TO this, cravats and dress hats are dis
earded, the hair clipped close, all alcoholic
beverages strictly eschewed, animal food re-
auced TO minimum, and ice drinks, water.
soda water or lemonade freely but temperate
ly INDUCED IN, we may confidently continue
our usual outdoor avocations without danger.
Laboring men, who cannot carry sun um-
brellas will find the greatest safety in teetotal
ism, at least during the heated term, with fire.
quent washing of the head in cold water while
at work IA the sun, and immediate abandon.
ment of labor on the occurrence of the dig.
illness or sickness at the stomach For one
sun struck, the most effective plan is removal
10 shelter, free application Of cold water to
the head, water TO drink if the patient n
swallow, and medical aid without delay
favorable treatment of sunstroke in the army,
SAID TO have been very successful, was the con-
tnuous dashing 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
trial of this in civil practice is certainly ius-
every case terminates fatally.-Boston COM
mercidI.