The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-09-22
What to Do
Before the
Doctor Comes

The local effect of the suns rays
striking the unprotected portions of
the body is to cause redness and burn
ing and often blisters known as sun
burn. The exposed parts do not even
have to be in the direct sunlight be-
cause sun-burn can be caused by the
active rays of the sun being reflected
from some smooth, bright surface as
from water. Hot winds may also cause
a condition similar to sun-burn.
The preventive measures against
sun-burn are of course to protect the
surface of the body from the suns
rays either direct or reflected Don't
try to get tanned all duHing the first
day In the field, at camp, or at the sea-
shore.
The actual sunburn itself Is treated
as any other mild burn by applying
cloths wet in saturated solution of
sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or
some oil or ointment
The systemic effect of the suns
heat or of any artificial heat as in
furnace and boiler rooms, is divided
into two classes called heat exhaustion
and heat-stroke or sun-stroke. These
two conditions. although resulting
from the same cause, are quite differ
ent and must be treated in different
ways.
Heat Exhaustion.
The more common result and also
the less serious is sometimes errone-
ously called sun-stroke. 1t is seen
more commonly in persons working
in the direct rays of the sun. as farm
laborers. or soldiers on a march, but
may also occur from working In hot
and clsely confined spaces.
The symptoms are dizziness. dazed
mind, not usually Inconsistencies.
the skin pale with a cold ciammy
sweat. respirations are shallow and
hurried, pulse is rapid and weak, and
the body temperature is usually below
normal. The patient may be nau-
seated and sometimes vomiting oc-
ours.
The treatment of heat exhaustion
is very similar to that of shock from
severe burns. keep the body warm
by wrapping in warmed blankets and
covers of some kind. and surround it
with hot water bottles. Stimulants as
aromatic spirits of ammonia, brandy,
or strong black coffee may also be
given
Heat stroke sometimes occurs while
working in the open and being ex-
posed to the direct rays of the sun,
but it is probably more often seen
where the person works in some er-
closed place where the heat is exces-
sive, as boiler rooms and stoke-holds
of steamships
The symptoms begin as dizziness,
nausea, headache, then uncoS Scious-
ness. At this stage the face is fushed,
skin dry and hot. and the body tenn
perature greatly increased sometimes
up to 10S degrees or over, normal
$50 degrees). The respirations are
rapid and noisy and the pulse is rapid
but full and bounding.
Unless these symptoms are very
soon relieved the patient goes into a
state of collapse and generally dies
within a few hours. The symptoms
of the stage or collapse are similar to
those of heat exhaustion but of a
more aggravated form.
To prevent this stage of collapse and
a fatal termination, the patient should
be put in a bath of ice water or the
body rubbed with fee. An ice-cap
which can be made by placing pounded
ice in bag should be placed on the
head. All this is to lower the tenn
perature of the body and should be
kept up until IT reaches about normal
(9S.6 degrees). If collapse has taken
place, 1t must be treated the same as
shock by keeping the body warm and
giving stimulants.
Both conditions, heat stroke and
heat exhaustion, are liable to occur in
poorly nourished and intemperate per-