Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-09
PHASES OF SUNSTROKE
DANGER OF EXPOSURE TO IN
TENSE SOLAR RAYS
Pathological Causes-Heat Exhaustion
and Syncope-Care of the Body
in Summer.
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
The numerous deaths from suns;roke that
always occur at this season invest the
study of their pathological causes with A
melancholy interest. Even when the result
of exposure to heat rays is not directly
fatal. there are very frequently after ef-
fects which persist for years. The expla-
nation for both conditions is duly appar-
ent when We consider the varied orgaut,
changes which are induced by the different
forms of seizure There are different kinds
as well as different degrees of attack. and.
while all are more or less dangerous the
necessity of institu;ing the necessary pre-
ventive measures becomes proportionately
emphasized.
Severest Form.
The most severe form OF sunstroke occurs
suddenly and often without preliminary
warning and with a mortality OF about Is
or so per cent The mode OF the death is
by direct shock. involving the respiratory
and cardiac centers and giving rise TO the
usual symptoms of arrest Of breathing and
or heart power. The latter is supposed TO
be due TO the rapid coagulation OF the
muscular elements of the circulatory organ
by direct heat. The victim is, as a rule at
tackled while working in the sun. when the
temperature and humidity are extremely
high, and quickly loses consciousness.
All the phenomena Of great vital depres-
sion are Immediately manifest in the shape
of cold skin, feeble pulse, shallow breathing
ana profound collapse. The majority OF
such persons die suddenly, without any at
tempt at rallying. If they partially recover
they are apt to suffer subsequently from
infiammatory changes in the brain or upper
spinal column, which make them invallds
for life.
Heat Exhaustion.
The ordinary heat exhaustion is a much
milder manifestation OF stroke, and par
takes more Of the character of faint or
syncope, and under appropriate treatment
recovery is generally complete and reason
ably prompt, although sometimes death oc-
ours during the depressed stage from heart
failure. The extreme nervous and muscu-
lar exhaustion in these cases suggests a
prompt resort to judicious stimulation.
A very common and more insidous va
rfety is that known as heat fever. I'm which
the bodily temperature may reach los de
grees or ITO degrees Fahrenheit. This form
of seizure is more gradual in It's develop
ment and may be ocCasioned frequently
by artificial as by solar heat. Thus il
may show itself in the shade. within doors
and more especially at night, after hard
days work and in the confined atmosphere
of badly ventilated apartments. Fremont
tory symptoms generally show themselves
for hours and sometimes days before the
attack. The patient usually expresses his
condition as that Of one simply overcome
with the heat" He loses his appetite be-
comes irritable, sleepless. oppressed in his
breathing, may have giddiness or head
ache, becomes easily nauseated, suffers
from thirst and is markedly weak and
feverish. The face, head and neck are in
tensely congested, the more distinct sig
nails of an immediate attack OF fainting and
collapse.
Lessons of the Brain.
Inasmuch there is a longer time for
the development of premonitory symptoms
as compared with the other forms of sun
stroke there are greater chances for perma-
nent changes in the brain, especially in
those instances in which recovery is slow
or incomplete. Such LESSONS are distinctly
structural and are traced to Inflammation
of the cerebro-spnal membranes. The I'M
fortunate is apt to suffer impairment OF
memory and of sight and may ultimately
develop epilepsy and insanity. He not in
frequently also shows extreme intoler-
ance of heat in any form and is often utter
ly incapable Of working in any high tenn
perature under direct solar rays.
1t is well in considering these facts not
to tempt fate by undue or too long exposure
to heat. While it must be admitted that
the strong man who lives naturally and
temporarily is most likely to escape, il is
also true that no one can be considered as
absolutely protected, least of all the one
who neglects the preliminary warnings and
postpones precautions.