The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-07-26
SUNSTROKE.
How to Avoid 1t, and How to Treat It.

How to Avoid It, and How to Treat 1t.
DR.. De Wolf, Health Commissioner O
Chicago, was recently interviewed upon
the subject of what people should do in
hot weather. He said that, first of all,
direct exposure to the heat of the sun
should be avoided. II pain were felt In
the head, the vision became distended,
faintness or nausea were felt, then
warnings should be needed. Sun stroke
had no pathology. There were no
changes in the tissues of the dead from
this cause. There was a change in the
condition of the blood, produced by ex
treme heat. The temperature of the
body, in cases of sunstroke, was raised
to l04 deg. or 10S deg. In this lay the
ianger. To prevent such increase of
temperature, or in case of actual sun
s'roke, cold applications should be made
to the head and chest. In cases Of very
feeble constitutions, the patient should
not use cold applications with freedom.
Some gentle stimulant is needed for the
system. Aromatic spirits of ammonia
may be shifted, or mustard plasters put
to the stomach and feet.
When person is sunstruck, he should
be conveyed to the nearest cool, shady
spot, his head raised, and the clothes
stripped from his chest and cold water
applied. The best professional talent
should be secured without a moments
delay. The patient should not be
moved or carried about until reaction
has set in. As the cases require pro.
fessional treatment, it was unnecessary
to give the medical treatment required.
Personally, the doctor believed that
bleeding was valuable in cases of sun
stroke of strong, plethoric individuals of
vigorous constitution, and that full
dose of quinine, in many conditions, is
very valuable adjunct in the treat
ment.
AS to preventives, he strongly urged
that beer and all alcoholic beverages
should be avoided. The reason was
that these drinks contained carbona-
ceous matter, with which the blood was
already filled, and which it was trying
to work off. The alcohol paralyzed the
capillary blood vessels of the brain and
nervous system, and increased the ten
dency to brain disease. For moments
it destroys the tonicity of the capilla-
ries Cathartics should be avoided dur
lux tiiC NV SOhcpn, III "
saline water, on account OF their milder
Influence, are desirable.
The violent perspiration removes Ger.
tain ingredients from the body that NAV
be taken in by the use of these mineral
waters. The bowels should be kept
open. During such heated terms strong
persons do not need much nutriment
Meat should only be eaten once day.
The food should consist mainly of
starches, fruit, fish, vegetables and
milk. Acid drink, especially claret and
water, in moderate amount is good for
feeble persons. Large draughts of ice
water should not be taken, as they cause
a revulsion, throwing the blood in the
direction of the head, where there is the
least resistance, and therein lies the
danger. 1t forces the blood to the
brain and tends to cause the congestion
which ought to be avoided. Small
doses, or ice held in the mouth, are not
detrimental. Some have conceived a
prejudice against drinking large
amount of water, believing that it is the
cause of the profuse perspiration. The
drinking of an abundance of water, if
it is not too cold, is a good thing and
useful in supplying the waste by per-
SEPARATION, and In cooling the body.