The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-06-30
An Essay on Sunstroke.

Another illusion of youth has vanished. |
We are now told by "an eminent physl-
clan that cases OF sunstroke may occur
in the shade as well as in the sun. Here
is what the physician in question says in
Hearth and Home;
" One of the sacred promises to those
who are to inherit the better life is: That
the sun shall not light upon them, nor
any heat To the Inhabitants of the
dry and thirsty land it is well remark
ed by an author on sunstroke, this 'prom
Use was full ofmeaning This disease, or
rather accident, has undoubtedly been
recognized in some form from the earli
est periods of history. The sufferings of
armies in tropical climates, or during the
hot season in the higher ATTITUDES, is fire.
quently due to the effects of heat. Labor
ers exposed to the steady action OF the
suns rays in summer, and so situated or
clothed as to interrupt free perspiration,
or by their habits raising the temperature
of the blood, are liable to sunstroke 1t
follows that so called sunstroke may occur
without exposure to the sun, and such is
the case quite frequently. All the con
ditions may be present in the shade, and
even when the person is in - state of rest.
Though not strictly correct, sunstroke
may, for practical purposes, be defined to
be an affection of the nervous system,due
to oyerheated blood. The term overhead
| literal sense; for if the nervous system
is in good condition, and the functions Of
the body otherwise we'll performed the
temperature of the blood may be very
much increased, without dangerous or
even injurious results Bnt if the individ-
ual is greatly fatigmed, orpoorly nourish-
ed, or weakened by disease, so that the
nervous system is depr essed or enfeebled,
the effect of the sudden elevation of the
volume of blood may prove most disas-
trous. This result is produced, not by
oyer-stimulation, but by actual depression,
for this is the recognized effect Of over
heated blood upon the nervous centers
Whatever other or more subtle causes
may be operating upon the individual,
this one will be most apparent and if
avoided, will save the exposed. person
from an attack.
BY far the larger number of victims
of sdn-stroke are the Incorporate they
are pre1isposed by IA induced aepfess-
ion Of the nervous system, to poor nutri-
ton, and by super heated blood from the
use of stimulants. They often fall dead
in summer from the effects of heat, even
while sitting quietly in the shade
Among laborers and soldiers the intem-
perate are the subjects of sun stroke
The aged and intirm are liable to be pros
trated by heat during the rise Of temper
ature of the blood, excited BY the heat of
external air. Feeble children, also, oft
en- sink from pure exhaustion, due to the
depression of heat. a 5.5.t.
:" The promintory symptoms are heat,
dizziness, great thirst, suffusion OF the
eyes, followed by fainting or insensibility,
like an attack of apoplexy.
AS sunstroke depends upon several con-
dltlons OF varying intensity, SO its attack
may be slight or great, according to these
conditions. In some cases it is but a tran
scient talnting, or perhaps only feeling
OF slight depression, lasting for several
days, while in the. severer forms death fol
lows quickly, as though there had been
yeritable coup de sozeit, or stroke of the
SUM-. -
In the management of this disease
prevention is eminently important. 1t lis
an ELECTION which can always be pre-
vented by proper precautions, and the
preventive measures can be practiced by
every one,giThe one prime object must
De to keep cool, and above all, to keep
the head, the seat of the great nervous
centers cool. It will not do to cool the
extremities simply, for us the blood is
driven in upon the brain and lungs and
fatal mischief may thus be created The
whole body should be kept in as nearly
the normal temperatures possible. This
may be done by dressing i'll light and
loose clothing, which allow the cooling
process OF perspiration to go on uncheck-
ed. The Chinese fan their shaven heads,
and SO if we create a current of air around
us, we reduce temperature. We should
avoid all stimulating draughts which ex7
cite circulation, and for the same reason
very active exercise, becomes dangerous.
The feeble and exhausted should be
placed in airy rooms, and be gently fan
ned. The lsboier should rest during the
heat of the Gay, drink cooling fluids, and
when at work frequently battle the head,
neck and hands in cool water.
When the attack comes on the suffer
er should be taken to shade, mustard
plaster should be applied, and over his
bare head, neck and chest cold water
should be dashed. This is all that can
safely be done without medical advice"
Some unhappy wanderer, already at