Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-24
HEAT-sxsAusr1os AND HEAr-srRoKR.

In an article upon the ELECTS OF pro-
ionged heat temperature upon the human
system, the Medical NearS (Pkliadeiphisi
says: " BY those who preserve tranquility
OF mind and healthy state of the bod
lily functions, summers heat and winters
cold are alike faced with impunity. Inc
regulating mechanism by which the tenn
perature OF the body is maintained at uni
form level, what changes soeyer occur
without, does not fail in the performance
OF Its beneticent task. When, however,
disturbing influences are introduced into
the daily life, or the mechanism of heat
production and heat elimination is disor.
dered by disease, serious consequences en-
sue, and he can the better encounter them
who has formulated in his mind well-de-
lined principles of action. A distinction
OF Immense practical importance exists be-
tween heat exhaustion and heat-stroke, or
coup de So!ei. 1t is much to be feared that
THIS difference too often passes unre-
garded, to the serious detriment OF
the patient. Heag-exhaustion, as the
term implies, means sudden cerebral
anemla produced by work or muscular ex-
erelse IN high temoerature. Heat-stroke,
or un.stroke, signifies the sudden access OF
anconsclousness with high febrile heat.
moist, or wet with respiration, the pulse
small, feeble and low in tension. the mus
cular system relaxed, the pupii dilated, and
the mind feeble, but consciousness is not
lost, or is restored after syncopal state OF
brief duration. In the latter there is
profound unconsciousness, contracted pupil,
injected copJunctiva, the skin is hot and
usually dry, the temperature high or by
perpyrexial, the pulse rapid and its tension
high, and the muscular system is often
eopvulsed and tends x ther 20 rigidity thar
relaxation. Upon due recognition of
these antipoda! states depends the success
OF the treatment instituted III heat.ex-
haustion be treated by the measures proper
In thermlc fever or vice versa, the result
will be disastrous.
Speaking of the different methods OF
treatment to be followed in cases Of heat
exhaustion and heat stroke, the NelOs
says "If the case be one of heat. ex-
haustion the patient will probably be able
to swallow. Repose in the shade in the
recumhent posture and few drops of
iaudanum in tablespoonful of whisky or
brandy will quickly bring about restoration.
The conditions are greatly more comDli-
Gated when we have to deal with the uu-
consciousness OF true sun.s-roke. Our
readers need hardly be told that there arc
several varieties and grades or eat-fever
Az those WIG have exhausted the
nervous system by various excesses are the
chief victims, obviously the great measure
OF prevention is sobriety. 1t Is not alone
alcoholic excess that predisposes to at
tacks. Late hours, bad air excessive
tobacco smoking are among the depressing
causes to which attacks OF heat fever have
thnt q
avs OF the sun is not necessary: 10
he existence of high temperature Of the
atmosphere in general and disturbed state
OF the relations between heat. proGuc-
ton and discrimination effected by
she causes above mentioned must
the attacks be attributed, and
hence the treasures CT ;s=ss;!5i l;s= :.s,.ss
include the means Of avoiding both sources
OF danger. In the case of true heat
stroke the victim should be at once Ie-
moved 70 the shade, 10 80 cool spot as
practicable, and should have cold water
thrown on him, be rubbed with pieces of
ice and have Ice applied 10 the bead and
spine. Ia the convulsive form of attack,
the hypodermatic mi lection of mnrphia is
indicated; indeed, no measure appears to
have relieved a larger proportion OF cases
of ali kinds, The administration OF ouinia
by the suh-cutaneous method is also a rem
edy of great value for the reduction of the
abnormal heat. 1t is probable that the
sub. cutaneous injection Of pilocarpine will
prove very useful in cases with dry skin
and suspended action of the kidneys The
inhalation of ohloroform has succeeded in
cases characterized by great resslesaness
snd by commissions. The bypodermic in
lection of chloral item grains to twenty
grainsl, repeated as necessary, will
also be found 10 lower the tenn.
perature and alS the excitenaat..-
sld, it may be, Il tore oonscIogsness'
People working IN a high temperature,
k.a the Ne1Cs, sSSss drink water slowly
ans I;il1