Smyrna times., 1866-08-01
Something about SunstrOke.

The recent intensity of solar heat has, as
usual, given rise to considerable number of
fatal results, consequent upon direct exposure
to Its influence. y few words of information
upon the nature of this dangerous affection
VIII, no doubt, be interesting and NAV also
nave thelr use IN enabling the reader to avoid
SO sudden an exit from subsolar existence.
1t Is rather singular fact that sunstroke is
more fatal and more frequent in the temperate
than IN the tOrrld zone. New York has more
cases than Havana or Rio, in proportion to
population; even in Quebec the danger is quite
as great III a few days of intense heat allotted
tI0, 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 Hcrschel.
would seem to be- not the Statical effect ON
the thermometer, but their momentary inten
slty measured by tie velocity with which they
communicate heat to an ab>Orbant body" 1t
Is this momentary intensity which causes the
phenomenon of Sumstroke, and which seems to
be greater in regions without than within the
trOpicS
When the head is exposed to the suns rays
III times OF their greatest intensity, the heat
seems often to cause instant inflamatOry action
IN the contents of the skull. The sufferer ex-
perlences intense headache, succeeded by vomi-
ting, he then falls breathlcss, and, unless in
stant assistance be given, turns black in the
face and expires. Victims Of sunstroke are
most often labOrers, and Intoxicating drinks
strongly predispOse to this sudden Inflammation
OF the craLial organs. Any construction about
the neck, from tight craYats or collars, also
predlspOses to sunstrOke, and generally any
depressing agents, mental or physical, lesson
the resisting power of the body to this as to
other diseases
Terrestrial radiation of the suns heat seems
10 bear an important part in the production of
sunstroke AT sea, and on small islands, such
result is very uncommon, no matter how in
tenSely the sun ) rays beat down; while the in
land, and especially in large cities, where stony
paFcmentS and long ranges OF buildings CONF
blne to add their radiant calOric to the direct
action OF the sun, fatal cases most often occur
One OF the best prOtcctives against sunstroke
IS the sun umbrella, universally used in our
Southern cities, but rarely seen at the North
when, during our short but fiery summer, they
are even more necessary. If, in addition to
tins, cravats and dress hats are discarded, the
halr clipped close, all alcoholic beverages strict
ly eschewed, animal food reduced to q mini
mum, and ice drinks, water, soda water or
lemonade freely but temperately INDUCED in,
we may confidently continue our usual out door
avocations without danger.
LaDorlng men, who cannot carry sun nm
Dreas, will find their greatest safety in tetotal-
Ism, at least during the heated term. with fro
quent washing of the head in cold water while
at work in the sun, and immediate abandon.
ment Of labor on the occurrence of dizziness or
sickness at the stomach. For one sun-struck
the most effective plan is removal to shelter
free application Of cold water to the head. wa,
| ter to drink if the patient can swallow, and
medical aid without delay A favorite treat
ment Of sunstroke in the army, said to have
ing of the patient body with cold water until
rivival took place-often for an hour or more
with plenty of water to drink, when swallowing
was possible A trial of this in civil practice
is certainly justiiable, seeing that under the
usual treatment every case terminates fatally