The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-19

THE HEATED TER9-SUNsTRoKE-Ho TO
AVOID AND How TO TREAT lT.-The intense
heat of the last few days, and the occurrence
Of numerous cases Of sunstroke, some Of
which have proved fatal, suggest the publ
cation Of some seasonable remarks Of al cm-
nent physician, which may be serviceable to
our readers:
GA moist atmosphere and high state of
the thermometer are conditions most unfa-
Yorable to health. The heat powerfully
stimulates, and the saturatiOn of the atmos-
phere prevents free perspiration "a cooling
process), and the necessary result is great
physical depression. 1t matters little how
hot the sun shines, provided the air is dry !;
perspiration will then 60 on freely, and the
rapid evaporation from the surface so tho
roughly cools the body that the system
scarcely experiences the slightest depres-
sion.
"A person may thus, when the mir is dry,
endure a temperature that will boil eggs
and roast meats. Natures method of rem
dering Us capable of resisting high degrees
of heat is, therefore, by cooling the body
through perspiration. Excessive perSpira-
ton, also, creates thirst for cold fluids, and
these, taken internally, still further cool the
body. 1t follows that anything which tends
to heat the body, or diminish the natural
cooling processes, adds to the dangers of
excessive heat. The use of stimulants, con-
finement to the impure and stagnant air Of
tenement houses and unventlated work.
shops, such filthiness Of the skin that per-
spiration is checked, working in places
where the laborer is exposed to the cOuccii-
trated direct and reflected rays Of the sun-
these and many other conditions which
raise the temperature of the body should be
avoided"
In hot weather it is best to retire to the
coolest and best aired rooms III the house,
to bathe often, to use freely palm-leaf fans,
to wear light flannel, and drink frequently
small quantities Of cool but not cold water,
or cold tea; battle the head frequently with
to the treatment of sunstroke
81 have followed no routine method Of
treatment. When the patient falls, as in
apoplexy, and is of full habit, l have bled
with marked good results; but in ordi-
nary cases, where the disease comes on
more gradually, I remove the patient to q
cool place, but transport and disturb him
as little as possible, uncover the head and
chest, and freely use the cold douche. II
the skin becomes cold and clammy,
use the douche only to the head and
neck, and apply hartshorn carefully to
the nose. When he arouses 1 give
him water freely, and if he vomits,
it aids his recovery. II he still remain
drowsy, a blister applied to the back Of the
neck or t9sttlhse shaven head is an important
remedy. general this treatment Is all
that is required, and as much of it may be
safely carried out by any one, and as its im-
mediate application is necessary to success,
I have frequently given these instructions
to the foremen of laborers, and had them
treatment"
4 person once recovered from sunstroke
must euer after be very careful about e1po-
sure to the hot sun, the use Of stimulants, and
excessive fatigue. Though by exposure he
may not cause Il return of the disease, he Is
very liable to set up train of nervous symp-
toms " hich may invalid him for Life.