The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-07-01
Precautions Against Sunstroke
The following circular has been is
sued by the State b ,ard Of Health

This dangerous illness is caused by |
excessive heat Of the blood from
1902 to IIoo Fahr.), which produces
great depression OF the nervous sys-
TEN. 1t occurs during the hot season
of the year, and usually to those ex-
posed to the hot sun, but it some
times occurs at night, and also to
those exposed to great heat, in glass
works, laundries, furnaces, bakeries,
iron foundres, and the engine rooms
of steamships. It is largely confined
to the hot, close streets and passages
of the cities, but is not unknown in
the country. Those habituated to the
use of alcohol, and the debilitated,
are especially predisposed to attacks.
PRECAUTIONS.
Dark, close fitting clothing and such
as congresses the chest and neck
should be avoided during the heated
term For those obliged to labor in
the sun, light clothing and straw or
light felt hat, permitting free circula-
ton Of air, are preferable.
On very hot days, one should drink
frequently, but in small quantities. A
large amount OF Ice water, cold beer,
soda water, mineral water or other
iced drink entering the stomach at
one time, is injurious.
Cool water. into which oat meal has
been stirred, is safe and refreshing
drink. Water should not be drunk in
considerable quantities at a lower
temperature than spring water, name
ly, so Fahrenheit. Immediate
death is often caused by "ice cold
drinks. The immoderate use of al
cohoic beverages is also dangerous.
The sleeping-room should be freely
ventilated and cool. Constipation of
the bowels should be avoided. When
over-heated, work slowly. frequently
cooling the head, chest and back with
cold water. Keep a wet cloth or
some green leaves in the hat on the
head, frequently wettins them with
cold water. When, on a very hot day,
the skin becomes dry and uncomfort-
|, ably hot, burning sensation is felt in
, the head, and the face is flushed and
r the eyes blood shot with frequent
tendency to urinate, the person should
Immediately quit work, retire to a
cool place and rest in quietness and II
not speedily relieved from sensation OF
, heat, take cold bath.
q SYMPTOMS.
The attack may be very sudden and
take the form of delirium in which the
patient rushes wildly about and may
attack those around him ; or he may
3 become weak and sink to the ground
! as If in fainting spell or stupor.
ILoss of consciousness and mental dis
turbance may be only partial. Nausea
or sickness at the stomach often pre-
: cedes the onset. Convulsions may oc'
, cur.
Sunstroke must be carefully distin-
, guished from Heat Exhaustion, in
which the general symptoms are simi'
q, lar to those of Sunstroke, but the
bodily temperature is below the nor
! nal. The difference can be at once
. recognized by feeling the skin under
meath the clothing; in Sunstroke the
skin feels burning hot; in Heat Ex'
E haustion it is cold.
z TREATMENT.
y 1. Garry the patient into cool
V and shaded place, where there is
plenty of pure, fresh air
?. Strip his clothing to the waist,
y and place him in recumbent posi-
ton.
:. Pour cold water Gce water Is
y. best) upon his head and chest until
I consciousness returns. The points al
r which the blood may be most effect
a ualy cooled are the wrists, the temples
d and the ears, because at those point:
it approaches the surface more nearly
in considerable quantities. Ice may
be applied to the head and chest ant
- rubbed over the body, but if the Skin
y is cold no ice should be applied. In
i ternally, small doses of brandy may be
!, administered with success; but in al
> cases of Sunstroke the patient should
as soon as possible, be placed IN
charge of competent physician.
! The patient should do no menta
:. work for some months, and should
= keep free from all excitement Per
:. sons who have once suffered from
. Sunstrose are liable to second at,
- tack. Insanity, in some OF its varied
forms, frequently follows Sunstroke'
= In Heat Exhaustion give alcohoho
y stimulants and place the patient IN
o. hot bath, so as to raise the Dodiiy
g temperature.
nj As a blood-purifier, the most eml
!, nent physicians prescribe Ayers
/, Sarsaparllla 1t is the most powerful