The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-07-23
SunstrOke Its Treatment.

We huve agaih reached the season when
IL greut many deaths are occurring from OK
cessive heat Not less than ten or twelve
have been reported within the last three on
fourl days in this city alone. Whilst it is
quite possible that some of these lives could
not have been saved il is probable that a
considerable proportion OF the deaths might
nave been prevented. IL is an awful thing
for the head of o house, the father of q
FANNY, upon whom all depends, TO go-trom
his home in the morning to pursue his
daily calling only to be brought home be
fore-the day is over, dead nom the
effects OF heat, overwork, exposure, or
imprudence. And it is more sad to reflect
that such a calamity might have been pre-
vented by wise precaution or a general
knowledge of the remedies to be applied in
the absence of an intelligent doctor IL
was with the view of preventing Just such
occurrehtes that we have from time TO
time, within the last three or four years.
published what ought to be done at such
seasons, and on such occasions, The
views thus presented are those Of the most
intelligent and experienced Of the medical.
faculty In Philadelphia, and as they ought
70 be remembered andra copy OF them
kept at hand ready Tor use in such emer1
gencies, we think 1t Of importance 10 pub
lish them again. .iL 'u'
We trust II will be remembered aud oare-
fully preserved for use when the emsrgen-
cy arises. Human life rs a precious thing,
and it is a g%rievous thing TO hear of ahard-
working, industrious man dying when his
life may be so easily saved. There is some
thing to be remembered, too, by those most
liable to what Is called 'Sunstroke." So
briefly is a great preventive. The man who
abstaius from oil spurious drinking dur
ing excessive hot weather Is vastly less liza
BILE to sunstroke than one who drinks habit
ually. Regular hours for sleep and meals,
and the avoidance Of all Irregularities and
excesses, are among the other preventiyeB
Bathing, washing or sponging the skin
all"ovor in the morning is q whole
some -precaution. Every one employed
out doors that can possibly do II should
wear a light, easy fitting, broGd-brimmed
hat Bucklayers, carpenters, laborers,
mortar-ma5ers hod-carriers, and oil others
working in the sun, should have some
kind of shed or shade handy where they
can rest for a few minutes at short intervals
Of half an hour Of 80. People otherwise
engaged ON the streets, or who have to go
about on business, should be careful to
keep on the shady side, to look well to their
heud-gear, 30 as to insure that it is light
and porous, and those who have leisure
should carry sun umbrellas.
IN every instance where aperson IS found
fainting in the street on a hot day, the first
thing is to remove the person to as cool
and shady a place as can be found, and, if
possible, to where a draft of mir is blowing
at the time. Bystanders and mere curious
idlers should be kept from crowding around.
The next is to send in ali directions for a
doctor or a skilled apotecary. But as 1t
frequently happens that neither Il doctor
nor an apothecary can be had in time,
those who take charge Of the sufferer
should know how to act, for they may
save his life. For their information, the
following treatment is suggested: They will
understand that their are two morbid con-
ditions resulting from excessive heat.
! These differ some in their symptoms, and
require a somewhat different treatment.
The first of these occur during hot wealth
en-, after undue exertion on the part of the
person thus affected The man Is faint,
perhaps unable 10 move, though he can
generally be reused; he has a feeble pulse,
and "a cool and moist skin. Here there is
simply a loss of nervous power, and relief
is promptly afforded by removing him to q
cool, shady place, applying cold water or
ice to the head, and administering iced
brandy and water, iced wine and water, or
other stimulant. IN the other and more
fatal form OF this affection, a different set
Of symptoms show themselves. Here the
patient suddenly falls to the ground,
completely unconscious, his skin is
pungently hot and dry, his breath
ing hurried, commissions are not
uncommon, and, if proper treatment
be not promptly resorted 10, death soon
takes place. In this case, also, the patient
should be promptly removed to a cool aud
shady spot, perfectly private, 90 that the
crowd can be kept of without fail. His
clothing should be stripped OF and his
whole body should'be rubbed with ice from
head to foot, and pieces OF ice should be
kept under the annpits. This should be
steadily pcIs,yulcd with until the patient
is restored, 90. unD,O doctor arrives, or n
til il is plain that the case is beyond recov-
cry. This treatment has been found to be
50 e%mincntly successful by one Of our best
physicians, that he feels justified in saying,
from his own knowledge and observation,
that, if applied promptly, recovery is al
most certain.
T.-----. n. w. r. - n.