Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-07-17
The Chemistry Of Sunstrokes.

From N. Y. Journal OF Comnerce.I
NE ELECTS and treatment of sunstroke are
We'll understood IN this country, where the
ualady Is one OF frequent oceurrence-more
frequent, probably, in the hottest months than
IN any other part OF the world. Bnt the cause
OF sunstroke is as yet mystery. The intense
heat (merely as heat) of the solar rays is not
the agent OF mischief. The human body NAV
be exposed TO the Turkish bath of lio degrees.
and remain in 1t an hour without injury. THIS
rs a much higher range Of heat than that of the
atmosphere al which sunstrokes most often
occurs, viz: from lVp TO l0 degrees tim the sun J
Men working in zinc furnaces or iron foun-
dies, are subjected 10 heat above l2g degrees
out they are not prostrated TO the ground with
the Phenomena Of the susstroke. The human
oreaniza tion is fitted 10 endure q much high
pitch OF heat than any We have named Ex-
comfortable In ovens while chickens were
slowly browning by their side How does in
happen, then, that al a temperature of the open
air comparatively so low men melt away, as
the popular saying is, with heat
lhe reason, We think, must be looked for in
me chemical character OF the suns rays The
heat OF the sun differs from every other kind Of
heat. as the iKht of the sun differs from every
other Kind OF light. This 10 fact so well
znown a. b need no demonstration. The effect
OF the sur heat upon plants-as contrasted
with artificial heats the most familiar and
perhaps the most striking illustration nj hand
AL animate and inanimate things are SUBJECT
to precisely the same great laws Of nature: and
tne solar heat which makes the flowers drsop
dazzling rays, is rot without its marvellous
chemical effect upon the sensitive brain of man
Inc enecf, we say, Is chemical, Just like the
effect Of poison.
Strychnine, cyanide OF potassium, arsenic,
morphine and the other deadly drugs do moi
Work more marked organic changes in the sys.
tenn than sunstroke. The countenance of the
Tictlm - ddrk-colored and injected with blood.
and pCst-mortem exami lation discloses con-
gestlon Of tue brain, lungs and heart Thes-
are me en- c's, varying In degree. Of the admin.
slIation OF poisohs. The chances Of recovery
from polst nmg are far better, if remedies are
seasonabiy applied, than from sunstroke. The
latter is almost always fatal with persons Of
delicate health or full habit. - . -t..-
The fact OF the peculiar che uical action OF
the suns rays upon the human system beng
once appreciated. nothing is easier than 10 es-
cape sun-stroke. Keep out OF the sun as much
"A possible. DO as the birds and the beasts do,
Madrid. Havana or Pernambuco-stick TO the
snaoe as closely as you can during the hottest
hours OF our summer days But IL your in
fense and irreprsssible Anglo-S ixon nature
II ust drive you into the face OF the sun, or "
your occupation obliges such exposure, take an
umbrella With You as a shield, or put wet
handkerchief or cabbage leaf or other protec.
uon In your hat
Drink but little ice water. eat sparingly of
fat meats. take daily baths, walk slow, talk
SLOW, gesuc ulate gently, AVOID politics and
don't get unduly excited about any thing what.
ever, as you value your life. This is an off,
repeated tale. II is the sage advice of last year
and the year before, and q century back of that
But while forty people day are dropping on
the pavements around us and diving in an hour
or two, we will not stand out for originality
out give the venerable counsel never known 10
iaIl. aIf| EFIs
As TO remedies, there is nc Improvement that
we are aware Of on the old ones. The applica.
lion Of ice u the head and under the arrnpiis
brandy and water or other s,imulants admins
tered internally, mustard plaster on the
stomach. vigorous chafing OF the body, and es.
pecially the hands and feet, tanning and plenty
Of air-these are restoraiiyes efficacious where
anything is OF avail. ..
Hut the great point Is 10 avoid a .unstroke,
and TO give our readers few hints to that end
is the object of this article
- Crimped chignops IL large plaits and
puns are IN favor for very dressy occasions.
- General Joe Hooker and wife are SO.
journing at Watertown, N. Y.
- A swimming school has been opened in
Louisville. ac1A
- John NJ. Bolts is said 70 be dying OF
BrIght's disease Of the kidneys
- A barber shop has been opened on Fifth
avenue with "lady" barber with female as.
sisiants. Who woaldn't be shayed!-N Y.
Nail
~ The schooner Saiadin, from Cuba, with
sugar and molasses, arrived in Richmond on
Saturday. Before the war the trade in sugar
molasses and West India fruits between Rich.
mond and Cuba was large and active. but this
is the first cargo since the war ~