The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-07-18
HOW TO TREAT
SVNSTROKE


sidered IN a series 81 essays printed in
Medical Journal and contributed in
resuonse 10 an invitation to submit
them to the publication in competition
fora cash prize The prize was award
ed 10 Or Henry c. Becker OF New
York.
DR.. Becker's consideration OF the
jet and the treatment recommended
by him. follow. in part:
In a consideration of the treatment
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-
haustion or proStration is the import
ant feature; the latter variety. known
as heat exhaustion. may be mild, mod
crate or severe.
In the hyperpvreNial form the vital
point in the treatment is the rapid re-
duction 81 the temperatures the prog
nosis is fair in direct proportion to the
rapdity with which the temperature
I, reduced. and in inverse proportion
10 the length Of time il has endured
ONE FORM OF TREATMENT.
In an emergency place the patient
n the coolest and shadicst spot avail
able, loosen the clothing and dash cold
water over head and body: with better
facilities to hand place the patient in a
bath-tub OF cold water. adding to il
pieces OF ice: the cxtrcmitics and body
should be constantly and vigorously.
rttbl.I ,.iiio tbts
In those favorable cases where the
temperature falls it is accompanied by
AN improvement in the pulse and res
pratirn and a clearing oi the mind:
il Is well b. remove the patient from
the cold bath when the thermometer
registers Io2 degrees
The temperature often falls two
degrees every * minutes. and may
ON falling even when the patient is re-
moved from the bath To obviate a
.Ub-nurmal temperature and COLI
Lapse il Is well to observe this rule:
When the patient has been removed
from the cold bath there may be a re-
hound ~ the temperature four or FIVE
hours after, particularly in those cases
where tcmnrraturc has been above 100
degrees This can be controlled by
cold packs or cold sponging
'Nut'pyrct'c, should not be used as
routine method. although in the
tropics the hypodcrmatic Use II quiz
nine +. highly spoken Of II there is
much struggling or dclrium. n hypo-
dcrm5'ic injection 81 onc-iourth grain
~ morphine may be given.
HEROIC MEANS NECESSARY.
The slightest manifestation OF
he dachc. vertigo and iain,ncs> should
be needed. and the patient Immediately
removed t. some cool and shady room
OF place n tca,popniul oi aromatic
spirits ~ ammonia IN glass OF cold
water viii suffice in the mider form
u eases. II somewhat icvrrish. cold
,poneiua with alcohol and water is
indicated.
1T /, in the more pronounced and
,cvcrcr form. 81 heat exhaustion that
hcrp.c means are often necessary TO
save lie: when there is respiratory
failure. >trychnnc. onc-,hrticth to one
fifteenth oi grain, j. 20 be injected,
oxygen gas and artificial respiration
may be required and rcSorted to: in
acute hear, failure camphor. grain
dissolved IN sweet almond oil. min
inn. ur solution oi citratcd caffeine.
t. > grains. injected; il pulse is soft
and feeble, d'gitaliu. onc-two hun
drrd,h Of grain, repeated in an hour
If necessary; II pulse is full and bound
ing. onc.onc hrndrcdth to onc.fiticth
pi q grain 81 ni;roglyccrinc. For re-
ilcNly stimulating the nerve centres
mustard paste or the douchc may be
employed
The after treatment IS rest in bed.
with tonic and stimulating medicines
and treatment 81 any resulting scquelac.
"Prnphylaxis-Th.s consists in the
prevention 81 exposure To- the direct
rays 81 the sun, moderation in the
amount oi physical and mental work.
the wearing 81 light and cool clothing
during the protractcd spell OF hot
and humid weather. The diet should
consist 81 little meat. with plenty oi
vegetables and fruit; strong alcoholic
liquors should be cschcwed Water