Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-04
SUNSTROKE,
Cause OF the Disease.

Cause Of the Disease.
| Editor Stdr:-Sunstroke Is known In medi-
| cine by the technical name Of Coup de Solefi.
| and Is pronounced as Though it were spelled
Go de Salale." The literal meaning Is a stroke
| OF the heat OF the sun, and is similar In Its
| effects upon the brain and nervous system to
| violent blow or fall upon the head. Its effect
! being suspends the functions of the BRAIN and
rendeIa the individual Immediately trsensible
The lnsensibillty may terminate In either
gradual returning sensibility, or In rapid
death; ard favorable or unfavorable ternina-
ton depends upon the degree OF the stroke and
the habits and constitution OF the individual
and Ole from 1t than the fntemperate; and no
single cause, operating upon those whose pur-
suits and avocattons expose them II the direct
neat Oh the sun, so much prompts or induces q
! stroke as intexicat1on, or the frequent and
haoitual drinking OF alcoholic liquors while
| engaged In outdoor pursuits. Alcohol, OF all
Known substances, possesses the create u
afhnity for the brain; and the peculiar irrits-
| ton which 1t excltes, prepares that organ. in
the most inviting manner, to receive an attack
SYMPTOMS OF THK D1sRAsE.
The approach OF sun stroke is foretold by an
| ndescribable feeling Of oppression and depres
| sion. The respiration becomes labored and
| deep. The face alternates with redness and
pallor and presents an expression OF fatigue
i ana DEPUTY neoa ;es,. The eyes wear da look and
sional sharp pains In the temples The heart
grows Eemulous, weak and sinking, and tue
pulse unnatural and trree llar. A tired sensa.
ton pervades every limb, the hands slightly
remble, and the voice becomes faint and
hollow. The muscular system OF the whole
body gives unmistakable evidence OF an
extraordinary degree OF nervous depre.-
sion, and II the warning proclaimed By these
symptoms Is unheeded by those who are es.
posed to the heat OF the sun, and an effort is
made TO acork OF these bad feelings, all OF these
symptoms are soon aggravated, and danger and
death are Imminent. The person drops In
sIantly. and Immediately becomes insensiole.
me premonitoTy symptoms last from halt an
hour to day or more, and when prolonged
they usually subside at night and return dur
Ing the day. when, the cause is brought to act
upon the brain. When an individual is sun
struck he lies motionless and insenslole. His
Pulse is Feeble and irregular and the face wears
the deepest expression of painful haygard-
shut The teeth are firmly set, and the power
OF swallowing is lost. II fluid is forced into
the mouth, no effort is made to swallow it, and
IL passes out at the corners OF the lips. Respi-
ration Is sometimes attended with distressing
moan. and the extremities become cold and are
covered with profGse and clammy sweat.
dtate dissolution: but fortunately, even from
this extreme condition many escape death and
are restored to health without either the mind
or body being injured by the attack.
THE TREATMENT.
The treatment OF the premonltory symptoms
consist In the individual withdrawing himself
from the influence Of the direct rays OF the
SUP, and In keeping his head cool by the fire.
quent application OF cold water to 1t. This
added to the quiet and rest of few days. will
soon remove all the unpleasant effecus pro-
duced by the intense beat of the sun. The
means used for the treatment OF an actual at
tack, are fortunately, very simple, and easily
almost every locality. The sufferer should be
placed at once in cool and comfortable POSI-
ton, with his head on level, or little lower
than his body. P1tcherfull after pitcherfull Of
cold water should be freely poured upon the
forehead and allowed to run over his face, and
until evidence OF restoration is manifested
Mustard plasters should be at once applied to
the wrists and ankles, and over The stomach:
and as soon as the patient Is able to swallow
the least quantity. give him at pleasure BRANDY
and water, or whisky and water or any other
fluids into the stomach usually gives rise to
vomiting, which Is no Disadvantage, and as
soon as the patient is able to swallow, how
ever imperfectiy, his restoration may be CONT
IDENTIFY expected in period OF an hour, or
varying to six hours. 1t is thus seen that
but well marked In Its character and thai any
one can apply the simple and convenient
means, which are adopted for It's cure In
waiting the arrival OF physician some time
usually passes, and this time frequently makes
all the difference between life and death.
he should at once have the advantage Of the
remedies used for his restoration; and any one
OF his companions can place MIN in favor.
able position, pour cold water upon his head,
and eIdeavor to give him brandy and water
and continue this treatment until the physic-
and attend 1t In de,aiL j. JOHNSON, M. ID.
922 New York avenue