Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-06-24
DR.. Reynolds
Warns About
Heat Stroke

Raleigh, June 24.-In view of the
extreme heat wave through which
TINS section is passing, and the fact
that occurrences may be expected
from now on, DR.. Carl v. REYNOLDS.
State health officer, has issued a
statement which, he said is design
ed to refresh the public's memory
as to the difference between sun
stroke and heat prostration, point out
the symptoms and suggest first aid
treatment until a physician can be
summoned.
"At the outset" DR.. Reynolds de-
clared, "it is imperative to bear in
mind that all cases, whether of sun
stroke or heat prostration, should be
classed as emergencies and that COM
petent medical advice should be inn
mediately sought. In the meantime,
an exercise of first aid knowledge is
necessary and, in the application of
that knowledge, the first alder should
bear in mind the very important fact
that the response to TIE call must
be rendered promptly, not hurriedly
and eXcitedly, and that complete con-
troll and strict supervision over the
patient should be established until
he can be placed in the hands of a
physician"
Dr. Reynolds, clearing up point
on which many people are not in
formed, said that heat exhaustion
and sun stroke may result from the
same causes and have the same pre-
Ventions, but are marked by diff
ferent symptoms which he explain
ed, declaring that this is a point on
which the first alder might we'll be
advised and with which the physi-
clan is already familiar.
THE dangerous conditions are
sometimes brought about by means
of direct exposure to the suns rays,
especially when the humidity is
great" the health officer continued.
''They are commonly due, however
10 long exposure to excessive heat
while working indoors, and especial
ly is this true when the worker is
over-fatigued or the Wearer of too
heavy clothing, including, for ex.
ample, hat or cap which allows
ly hot weather, there should be pro-
vision for an air space in the head
covering. All stimulating drinks,
such as alcohol, are conductive to
sun stroke and heat exhaustion
rather than a preventive.
ut is advisable to avoid exposure
to the sun in the middle of the day.
to see that work rooms are properly
ventilated and to avoid over-fatigue
as far as possible. II one should feel
dizzy or faint, the common sense
procedure to avoid sun stroke or heat
exhaustion would be to stop work
temporarily, find q cool spot AMI lie
down. The hands and face, insuch a
case, should be bathed in cold water,
which the patient also should be re-
quired to drink freely.
"As to symptoms, it may be said
that usually there is pain in |
head, dizziness and a feeling of op-
preston which may extend to COM
plete insensibility. This condition
develops very rapidly. In sun stroke
the definite symptoms include a
very red face, dilated pupils, hot,
dry skin, no perspiration, with lab
ored breathing and signing, pulse
full and rapid, often spasms of the
muscles and very high temperature.
The distinctive symptoms of heat ex-
haustion are dizziness, often nausea
and vomiting, depression and weak
ness but not unconsciousness from
which the patient cannot be aroused
as in sun stroke, face pale but cover
ed with perspiration, breathing shall
low, pulse weak and rapid"
Referring to treatment which may
be administered by the first alder,
whose services DR.. Reynolds declar-
ed are very important, he re-empha-
sized the importance of sending for
a doctor at once but, in the mean
time, he said, Remove the patient
to a cooler and more comfortable
location, loosening all clothing and
removing as much of it as possible;
apply coll to the face, head and body
rub ice cold water oyer the face,
neck, chest and arfapits. 1t lis inn
portant to emphasize THAT rflassag-
ing the patient tends to prevent
further shock, = by bringing the hot
blood to the surface. In the case of
sun stroke, stimulants should be
}aVoided; in case of heat exhaustion
the treatment is practically the
same, except stimulant, such. as
aromatic spirits of ammonia should
be used.
Extreme. precaution to avoid any
of the cnoditions that bring about
sun stroke or heat exhaustion should
be taken by those suffering from any
organic disorders, especially heart
trouble. In many cases, extreme
heat has proved the last straw that
broke the camel's back ~ @~ 81
= 81 =