The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-07-08
An Essay on Snnsrroke.

Another Illusion of youth has vanished
We are now told by ''aneminent physician
that cases Of sunstroke may occur in the
shade as well as in the sun. Here is what
the physician in quest on says in Hearth
and Home:
Zone 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 remarked by an au-
thor on sunstroke, this promise was full of
meaning. This disease, or rather
accident, has undoubtedly been recog-
nized in some form from the earli-
est periods of history. The sufferings of
armies in tropical climates, or during the
hot season in higher latitudes, is frequent
lv due to the effects of heat. Laborers eX-
posed to the steady action of the suns rays
In summer, and so situated or clothed as to
interrupt fee perspiratiOn, or by their hab-
its raising the temperature of the blood,
are liable to sunstroke. 1t follows that so
called sunstroke may occur without expo
snre to the sun, and such is the case quite
frequently. All the conditions may be
present in the shade, and even when the
person is in a state of rest.
Though not strictly correct, sunstroke
may, for practical purposes, be defined to
be an affection of the nervous system, due
to overheated blood. The term overheated
must be taken in a relative and not literal
sense; for if the nervous system Is In good
condition, and the functions OF the body
otherwise well performed, the temperature
of the blood may be very much increased,
without dangerous or even injurious re-
sults. But if the individual is greatly IA
! l,ea6 1ad
| by disease, SO that the nervous system is
depressed or enfeebled, the effect of the
| sudden elevation of the volume of blood
may prove most disastrous. This result is
produced, not by over-stimulation, but by
actual depression, for this is the recog-
nized effect of oYer-heated blood upon the
nervous eenters. Whatever other or more
subtle causes may be operating upon the
individual, this one will be most apparent
and if avoided, win save the exposed per
son from an attack.
\ aBY far the larger number of victims o.
sun-stroke are the intemperate; they are
predisposed by an induced depression o
the nervous system, to poor nutrition, anC
by super-heated blood from the use O
sfimulants. They often fail dead in sum
ner from the effects of heat, even while
4 sitting quietly in the shade. Among labor
ers and soldiers the intemperate are the
subjects of san-stroke. The aged and in
firm are liable to be prOstrated by hea
during the rise of temperature of the blood
excited by the heat of external air. Feebl
children, also, eften sink from pure ex
haustioz, due to the depression of heat.
1.-THE promonitOry symptoms are heat
dizziness, great thirst, suffusion of tn
eyes. followed by fainting or insensibility
like an attack of apoplexy.
: stAs sunstroke depends upon severa
! conditions of varying intensity, so its at
tack may be slight or great, according T
these conditions. In some cases it is but
Il transient fainting, or perhaps only feelini
of slight depression, lasting for severa
days. while in the severer forms death fol
+ lows quickly, as though there had been
veritable coup de sOhel or stroke of the sur
s.In the management of this disease pre-
yention is eminently important 1t is q
affection which can always be prevented b
) proper precautions, and the preventiv
measures can be practised by every one
The one prime object must be to kee
cool, and above all, to keep the head, To
seat of the great nervous centers cool /
will not do to cool the extremities simply
. for thus the blood is driven in upon th
brain and lungs and fatal mischief ma
{ thus be created. The whole bod
i should be kept in as nearly th
. normal temperature as possible. Thi
, may be done by dressing
, light and loose clothing, which allow tn
cooling process of perspirationt to go on III
e checked. The Chinese fan their shave
:. heads, and so, if we create current OF a
h around us, we reduce temperature. w
should avoid all stimulating draughi
which excite circulation, and for the sam
IS reason very active exercise becomes da1
IS gerous. The feeble and exhausted shoul
q be placed in airy rooms, and be gent
famed. The laborer should rest durir
. the heat of the day. drink cooling fluid
q and when at work frequently bathe Il
L head, neck and hands In cool water
d ssWhen the attack comes on the suffer
"a should be taken to q shade, mustar
. plaster should be applied, and over b
~ bare head, neck and chest cold wat
e should be dashed. This is all that ci
g. safely be done without medical advice.