Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1908-08-29

The treatment Of sunstroke Is con.
sidered IN q series Of essays printed
in The New York Medical Journal and
contributed in response to an invita-
ton to submit them to the publication
IN competition for q cash prize. The
prize was awarded to Dr.. Henry G.
Becker. Of New York city.
DR.. Becker's consideration OF the
subject and the treatment recommend.
ed by him follow in part:
IN q consideration OF the treat.
ment Of insulation we take cognizance
Of two forms. the hyperpyrexial. where
The temperature Is the important point
at issue, and the other where an ex'
naustion or prostration Is the import
ant feature; the latter variety, known
~ heat exhaustion, may be mild, mod.
crate, or severe.
I'm the hyperpyrexial form the vital
point in the treatment Is the rapid re-
duction Of the temperature: the prog
nosis Is fair in direct proportion to the
rapidity with which the temperature
10 reduced. and In inverse proportion
to the length OF time It had endured.
I'm an emergency place the patient
IN the coolest and shadiest place avail.
able, loosen the clothing and dash cold
water over head and body; with bet
ter facilities to hand, place the pa
tient in a bathtub Of cold water. add.
Ing to It pieces Of ice; the extremitaes
and body should be constantly and vis'
orously rubbed while thus immersed.
I'm those favorable eases where he
temperature falls II IL accompanied By
an improvement In the pulse and res
piration and clearing Of the mind (;
It is we'll to remove the patient from
the cold bath when the thermometer
registers 102 degrees.
THE temperature often falls two
degrees every fifteen minutes. and
may Keep on falling even when the pa
tlent IL removed from the bath: to oh.
viate q subnormal temperature and
q collapse, It Is we'll to observe
this rule: When the patient has
been removed from the cold bath
there may be o rebound Of the tenn
perature four or Ave hours after. par
ticularly in those cases where temper
ature has been above 100 degrees
This can be controlled by cold packs
or cold sp0nging.
"Antipyretics should not be used a
q routine method. although in the trop
ics the hypodermatic use Of quinine Il
highly spoken Of. II there Is much
struggling or delfrium hypodermatie
injection Of one.fourth grain OF NOR
phine may be given.
1.-THE sudden shock from the cold
water may produce q tonic muscular
spasm, including the diaphragm. II
these cases Ave mtnims OF amyl nj
trate as an inhalation with an increase
In the temperature OF the water EN-
ployed in bathing. along with artificial
respiration. II necessary. will tend tc
overcome the spasm; keep up the ar
tificial respiration half an hour II need
be.
There Is a strong tendency to con
gestion and oedema Of the lungs: THU
condition should be met by dry cup
ping and hypodermatic injections o.
atroplne and strychnine. Strong. 70
bust, plethoric individuals with full
bounding pulses require one.hftieth o
q grain Of nitroglycerine; leeches e
the temples and behind the ears arr
also helpful.
"The after treatment consists II
keeping the patient In bed for severa
days on q light and easily digestibl,
diet; there IL often subsequent In
termittent fever lasting several days
this Is best treated by means Of cole
spongings and tablespoonful doses o
spirits Of mindererus given every foul
hours. For the headache small dose,
OF acetphenetidin with citrated CAT
feline may be given. Special attentiol
should be given to the bowel and kid
ney functions; any resulting sequelaa
should receive appropriate Treatment
and care.
IN tho treatment Of heat exhaus
ton stimulants are primarily tndicat
cd. and In severe cases. to insure theil
certain and prompt effect, they shoult