The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-07-08

One OIL tDe S8cr0u piOsA-.S e.ANSS
who are to inherit the better lie Is =
"That the cum shall n9t light upon
them, nor any heal" To the inhabi-
tants of the "dry and thirsty land" it
is well unmarked by an author on sun
stroke, this promise was full OF mean
ing. This disease, or rather accident,
has undoubtedly been recognized in
some form from the earliest periods of
history. The sufferings OF armies in
tropical climates, or during the hot sea-
son ia higher attitudes, Is frequently
due to the effects of heat. 5Labores
exposed to the steady action of the
SUMS rays in summer, and SO situated
or clothed as to interrupt free perspira-
ton, or by their habits raising the tem-
perature Of the blood, are liable to sun
stroke. 1t follows that so-called sun
stroke may occur without exposure 10
the sun, and such Is the case quite ire
uuently.'f All the conditions may pe
presentin the shade, and even when tEe
erson is in a state of rest.
Though lot strictly correct, sun
stroke may, for practical purposes, p
defined to he an affection OF the ner-
yous system, due to overheated blood.
The tnrn, oyerheated must be taken In
a re,a.iva and not literal sense; for II
tLe nervo,,s system is in good cOndItion
and fhe functions of the body other
w;se we'll performed, the temperature
of tho Blood may be very much in
creased. without dangerous or even
in;ur;o,,s results. But IL the individual
Is greatly fatigued, or poorly nourished
or weakened by disease, 80 that the
nervous system is depressed or enfee-
bIed. the effect Of the sudden eleya-
tion of the temperature of the volume
of the blood may prove most disastrous.
This result Is produced, not by over
stimulation, but by actual depression,
for this is the recognized effect OF over
heated blood upon the nervous centres.
Whatever other and more subtle causes
may be operating upon the individual,
this one will be most apparent, and,
if avoided, will save the exposed person
Bv far the larger number of victims
of sunstroke are the intemperate they
are predjspesed by an induced depres'
sion of the nervous system, due to poor
nutrition, and by superheated blood
from the use ofstimulants. They often
fall dead in summer from the. effects OF
heat, even while sitting quietly in the
shade. Among 1aborers and soldiers,
the intemperate are the subjects of sum
stroke. The aged and infirm are liable
TO be prostrated by heat, due to the rise
of temperature of the blood, excited by
the heated external air. Feeble chill
dren, also, often sink from pure eX-
haustion, due to the depression of heat.
The premonitory symptoms are heat,
dizziness, great thirst, saffusion OF the
eyes, followed by fainting, On insensi-
bility, like an attack of apoplexy.
AS sunstroke depends upon several
conditions, Of varying intensity, so its
attack may be slight or great, accord
ing to these conditions. In some cases,
it is but transient fainting, or, pei
haps, only q feeling of slight depres-
sion, lasting for several days, while In
the severer forms, death follows quick
ly, as though there had been a verita-
bic coup dc soteil, or stroke OF the sun.
In the mauagem ent of this disease,
prevention is eminently important. 1t
is an affection which can always be
prevented by proper precautions, and
the preventive measures can be prac-
ticed by every one. The one prime OBJ
ject must be to keep cool, and, above
, all, to keep the head, the seat of the
great nervous centres, cool. 1t will not
do to cool the eXtremities simply, for
's13hs the blood y driven in upon the
brain and lungs aGd4atal mischief may
thus be created. The whole body
should he kept i'm as nearly the normal
temperature as possible. This may be
done by dressing in light and loose
clothing, which allow the cooling pro-
cess of perspiration to 60 on unchecked.
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 excite the circulation, and for
the same reason very active exercise
becomes dangerous. The feeble and
exhausted should be placed in airy
rooms, and be gently famed. The la
borer should rest during the heat of
the day, drink cooling fluids, and when
ut work frequently bathe the head,
neck, and hands in cool water.
When the attack comes on, the suf-
ferer should be taken to a shade, a
mustard plaster should be applied, and
over his bare head, neck, aud chest,
cold water should be dashed. This is
all that can safely be done without
medical advice.-"An Eminent Ptysi-
clan" in Hearth and Home.