The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-09-23
What to Do
Before the
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Doctor Come.

The local effect Of the suns rays
striking the unprotected portions of
me body Is to cause redness and burn
ing and often blisters known as sum
burn. The exposed parts do not even
nave 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
q 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 during 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 a 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.
Inc more common result and also
the less serious is sometimes errone-
ously called sun-stroke. It is seen
more commonly in persons working
IN the direct rays of the sun, as farm
!aborers, 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 clammy
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 &C.
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 1t is probably more often seen
where the person works In some en-
closed place where the heat is excess
sive, as boiler rooms and stoke-holds
Of steamships.
The symptoms begin as dizziness,
nausea, headache, then unconscious
ness. At this stage the face is flushed,
skin dry and hot, and the body tenn
perature greatly increased sometimes
up to 108 degrees or over (normal
98.6 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 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 Ice. 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 1t reaches about normal
1856 degrees). If collapse has taken
place, 1t must be treated the same al
shock by keeping the body warm and
giving stimulants.
Both conditions, heat stroke and
heat exhaustion, are liable to occur in
poorly nour1shed and Incorporate per-
sons and in those doing hard physical
labor. One attack is inclined to make
them more susceptible to the effects
Of heat so that they should always
take special care about exposing them.
selves afterwards, and should change
occupation If possible.
Electricity Burns, Brush Burns.
The local effect of electricity is that
of burn and usually occurs at the
point Of contact when an electric cur
rent passes through the body or q
portion Of 1t. Death may be produced.
however. by the shock caused and no
local manifestation be visible.
In order to prevent burns or acct.
dents from electricity never take hold
of any wire while the current is turn
ed on. 1t is advisable not to handle
any wire that Is strung close to line
carrying high voltage, although it
may only have a weak current itself,
as there is always the possibility Of
the wires being crossed at some other
place and the strong current being
transferred to the line on which you
are working. If any person has been
caught In live wire" and rendered
unconscious. be very careful In remov.
ing him so as not to get shocked your
self. II possible have the current
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