Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-07-20

I lungs ana 6klns Inc l0teITupIlOH Vi .
definite correlation existing between the
animal and external temperatures may
result either In sudden paralysis OF the
vital energies and death, or protrscted
neuralgia or bronchial affections. The
popular notion is that sunstroke is due
solely to the concentration Of the suns
rays upon the head; but this, like many
smother Traditional belief, is lamentabiy
unreliable. DR.. II C Wood, in little
work entitled 7heTmic Fever, or Sam
strole, quotes the records Of its occur
renee in barracks, hospitals and tents,
In many instances where there had been
no previous exposure TO the direct solar
rays, and frequently occurring in the
nighttime; and he cites the experience
Of another medical gentleman, prac-
ticing in India, to the effect that
by far the greater number Of cases under
his treatment are OF men who have not
been exposed to the sun. SIT is not I'M
usual for men 20 go to bed in apparent
good health, and to be seized during the
night; and patients in hospitals, who
have been confined to bed for days pre-
viously, are frequently the subjects Of at
tack" Still another physician testifes
to its occurring in eleven cases treated by
him from exposure TO the artificial heat OF
hotel laundries, and Of others occurring
in sugar. refineries and bakeries. In Rey-
nold's System of Medicine, Nj. BOndin
is quoted ss recording one hundred cases
Of sunstroke occurring on the French
mau-of-war Duguesne, while lying at
the port of Rio Jsneiro, "most Of them
at night, while the men were lying in
their bunks." Recounting these appa-
rently pathological eccentricities, DR..
VIM. J. Youmans, of New York city,
observes that it is great heat which pre-
cipitates the attack, and that 1t makes
little difference whether this come from
exposure to the direct rays Of the sun, or
from q highly-heated atmosphere; or
indeed, from some artificial source. The
testimony of observers with us and in
tropical countries is that excessive heats
are borne with impunity by the healthy,
and that it is mostly those who are
temporarily or chemically out of order
that eventually suffer. When the
physical powers are impaired by some
local or constitutional complaint, and is
less able to do the extra work which the
Influence Of excessive heat imposes, then
is the time when even slight exposure
may be followed by the most serious
consequences. The best advice we can
offer seems to be: "Make haste slow WY"
in response to the demands of business,
and "keep cool, (" not merely physically,
but, in particularly important sense,
mentally. Theoretically, we compre-
bend the law that action is inevitably
followed by reaction; but, practically,
we are too apt to forget that loss Of sleep,
worry and excitement depress and ex-
haust vitality, weakening the natural
elasticity and rebound" of the system
in It's efforts to throw off the stealthy
approach OF disease. And under this
taboo is, with exceptional penalties, in
cluded the abuse Of stimuIants; for it is
well established, by the very best of
medical authority, that those who in |
dulge the cup in excess furnish large |
proportion Of the fatal cases from SUM-
stroke. For time, perhaps, by the IN
natural impulse of alcoholic stimulus,
the mills of the system may be made to
grind-''grind fast and furious''-but re-
action must surely come; quite as
likely in the "still Watches" when
aid may be difficult to obtain.
A light diet; avoidance Of sudden or
protracted exposure to direct solar rays;
q guarded use OF stimulants (total alb
stinence were better; a careful reserve
in expenditure Of the physical energies;
the maintenance of good humOr with
oneself and every one else, and we'll
ventilated sleeping apartments may be
reckoned as safety.guards that
will go far toward securing immunity
from the much-dreaded coup de soleiI
We append an extract from recent re-
port of the sanitary committee of the
board Of health of the city OfNew York,
which contains suggestions that it may
be well for the readers Of the APPEAL to
make note Of:
Sunstroke is caused by excessive heat,
and especially if the weather lie "mug-
gy." 1t is more apt to occur on the sec
ond, third or fourth day Of heated
term than on the first. It is much more
apt to attack those working in the sun,
and especially between the hours of
eleven O'Clock in the morning and four
In the afternoon, On hot days wear thin
Have as cool sleeping-rooms
as possible. Avoid loss of sleep and all
fatigue. III working in
doors and where there is artificial heat,
BEE that the room is well ventilated. II
working in the sun wear light hat mot
black, as it absorbs heat, and put inside
Of it, on the head, a wet cloth or large
green leaf; frequently lift the hat from
the head and see that the cloth is wet.
Do not check perspirstion, but drink
what water you need to keep it up, as
prevents the body from be-
ing overheated. When much fstigued,
do not go to work, or be excused from
work, especially after eleven o'clock in
the morning on very hot days, es-
pecially if the work is in the sun.
II feeling OF fatigue, dizziness,
headache or exhaustion occurs, cease
work immediately, lie down in a
shady and cool place, apply cold
cloths to and pour cold water over
head and neck. II anyone is overcome
by the heat, give the person cool drinks
of water or cold black tea or cold coffee,
if able to swallow. If the skin is hot
and dry, sponge with or pour cold water
over the body and limbs, and apply to
the head pounded ice wrapped in towel
or other cloth. II there is no ice at
hand, keep cold cloth on the head, and
pour cold water on it as well IS on the
body. II the person is pale and very
faint, and his pulse feeble, let him inhale
for few seconds, or give him
3 teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of am
monis (hartshorn) in two tablespoonfuls
Of water with little sugar.
Too much reliance must not, however,
be placed in these suggestions, which
m2y only be received as assistants in
staying the development of disease. In
Bill cases medical advice should be inn