Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-21
TO PREVENT sUNsTROKE.
Timely Suggestions by baltimore
Health Commissioners.
Baltimore Americana

Baltimore Amerlcan)
Heolth-Commissioner McShane has had
printed for distribution the annual hot
weather regulations to be observed IN
order to prevent sunstroke. they are as
follows:
This dangerous illness is caused py
excessive heat of the blood Qrom 10 10
40 degrees FahrenheiD, which produces
great depression of the nervous system
II occurs usually TO those exposed TO me
hot sun but it sometimes occurs al
night. and also 70 those exposed to great
heat in glass-works, laundries, furnaces
bakeries. iron-foundries, and the engine
, rooms of steamships. Those habituated
10 the use of alcohol and the delibitated
are especially predisposed 10 attacks.
Dark. close-ftting 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 circulation OF
air. are preferable.
"On very hot days one should drink
frequently. but in small quantities. n
large amount Of ice-w9ter. cold beer,
saltwater. mineral-water or other
iced drinks entering the stomach ut one
time IS injurious.
"Cold water into which oatmeal has
been stirred. is a safe and refreshing
drink. water should not be drunk in
considerable quantities at lower tenn
perature than spring water-namely, IS
degrees Fahrenheit. Immediate death is
often caused by "lced-cold" drinks. The
immoderate use Of alcohol beverages IS
also dangerous.
"The sleeplng-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
wetting them with cod-water.
PRECAUTIONS.
when. on a very hot day. the skin be-
comes dry and intentionally hot. a
burning sensation Is felt in the head and
the face Is flushed and the eyes blood
shot. the person should Immediately quit
work. retire TO a cool place. and rest In
ouietness. and, II not speedily relieved
from sensation Of heat, take cold bath.
"The attack may be very sudden ana
take the form of deiirium. in which the
patient rushes wildly about and may at
tack those around him, or he may become
weak and sink to the ground as II In a
fainting spell or stupOr. Loss OF conscious
ness and mental disturbance may be only
PARTIAL Nausea or sickness at the stom-
ach often precedes the onset. Conyul-
sions may occur.
"Sunstroke must be carefully distin-
suished from heat exhaustion, In which
the general symptoms are similar TO those
M sunstroke. but the bodily temperature
Il below The normal. The difference can
he N once recognized by feeling the skin
underneath the clothing; in sunstroke the
skin feels burning hot; in neat exhaustion
it is cold.
THE TREATMENT.
81. Carry the patient into a cool and
shaded place, where there Is plenty OF
pure. fresh air.
go. Strip his clothing to the waist, ana
Mace him in a recumbent position.
..3. Pour cold water dce water Is Dest)
upon his head and chest until conscious
ness returns. The points at which the
blood may be most effectually cooled are
the wrists. the temples, and the ears. be-
cause AT those points It approaches the
surface more nearly in considerable guam
tifies. Ice may be applied 70 the head
and chest and rubbed over the body. but
n the skin is cold no Ice should be APP
nIled In all cases Of sunstroke the pa
tlent should. as soon as possible. be
placed in charge OF a competent physi-
clan.
THE patient should do no mental WORK
for some months, and should keep free
from all excitement. Persons who have
once suffered from sunstroke are liable 20
a second attack. Insanity, In some OF is
varied forms, frequently follows sun
stroke.
"In heat exhaustion give alcoholic
stimulants and place the patient In a hot
bath. so as TO raise the bodily tempera-
ture."