Smyrna times., 1882-07-19
Heat-Exhaustion -Sun-Stroke.


associated with a moist condition of
the atmosphere, and either with or
without direct exposure to the SUMS
rays is capable of producing two verv
serious forms of sudden illness, both of
winch are accompanied by unconscious
ness. Although requiring very differ
eht-even opposing-plans of treat
ment, they are not infrequently mis-
taken one for the other, and managed
accordingly with disastrous conseouen-
ces to the patient.
10 distinguish between these two.
heat-exhaustiOn and sun-stroke. if will
DC necessary to pay attention to the
lolIoWlng points, none Ofwhich depend
lor their recognition upon any special
skill or training on the part of the oh
server. If the individual on one of the
warm, oppressive days of our midsum-
mer, after continued exertion and ex-
posure to heat, loses consciousness and
ialls from exhaustion. he will be found
breathing slowly and feebly, so that
the movements of his chest are hardly
perceptible; his pulse will be weak
and only felt with difficulty. his face
pale, his skin cool and moist. or even
quite wet with sweat; the pupils of
his eyes probably dilated. In such n
case he should be placed in a cool
place, in a recumbent position. his
head ON level with his body; all tight
articles of clothing about his neck or
chest should be loosened; his limbs
should be rubbed gently from the ex-
tremltles toward the trunk; no crowd
should be allowed to shut off tho eur-
ply OF fresh air; Il little stimulont
such as brandy and water or whisky
ana water, should be poured between
MS lips or placed upon his tongue
ammonia may be held to his nostrils
by such simple means the large major
lty OF these cases may be brought bacl,
10 CONSCIOUSNESS and little later to
strength and movement. In convey
ing the patient to his home after an
attack of this description it will he we'll
to keep him in horizontal position.
II, ON the contrary-and as distinct
Irom mere "heat-exhaustion'-
case IS one that is known as "sun-
stroke"-and it must be remembered
that this may occur, with all its pecu-
hariarities, from protracted exposure
to heat eCen in the shdde-the condition
Will be as follows: The subject of the
attack will be found lying senseless
breathing rapidly and irregularlv. now
and then seeming to stop altogether
Tor moment; his pulse extremely
quick; his face sometimes flushed: his
skin hot and dry, imparting burning
sensation to the hand his pupils prob
ably contracted.
There may have been some premon-
ltOry symptoms, such as nausea, vertigo.
redness of the eyes, ETC., but these
cannot often be learned of unless COM
plants happen to have been made to
friends or fellow workmen. The
patient should at once be carried to a
cool, shady spot, the clothing removed.
the body wrapped in wet sheet and
tanned, or the surface sponged with
ICED water or with alcohol and water
and afterward famed. A stream of
cold water should be poured upon the
head, and, if he is able to drink. he
should be allowed to take iced water
freely. If the skin remains hot and
burning ON temporarily ceasing these
efforts, pieces of ice may be applied to
the scalp, the nape of the neck and the
spine, and rubbed over the surface of
the body.
1t will be seen that the treatment !
proper in one of these forms of heat
illness might produce death or. at the
least, greatly aggravate the disease in
the other. Perhaps, among the signs =
we have mentioned, the one most easily !
recognized by layman, is the condi- ,
ton OF the skin, the GOODNESS and moist 6
ure of heat-exhaustion contrasting
strongly with the dryness and burning +;
Of sun-stroke. As we shall in all prob
ability have requests within q few y
weeks to republish this article-a thing
which it may be inconvenient to do 6
It is suggested to the thoughtful people
who always seek to be of use to cut
This out, keep it in their pocket-books
and refer to it occasionally, in order :,
TO keep the distinction between simnle =
y heat-exhaustion" and sun-stroken =
so clear in their minds that they will
be able to render effective aid when
occasion presents itself. First send
or Il doctor, and in the meantime pro- II
'eed as above described. p
'hiG Ledger. "