Sun Stroke

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Several of our cotemporaries have been giving some good advice on this subject, and although we think they are wrong in some points, for in our opinion, a sun stroke is actually the result of a rush of blood to the head, suffusing and choking up the brain, and thus producing insensibility and weakness of muscular action, yet in the main they are right. Cold water, bleeding, and other simple means should be tried on a person so affected, and friction to stimulate circulation should be resorted to. When the patient is reviving from the stupor a cup of tea or coffee will aid in restoring perfect consciousness. Persons in sound health are seldom attacked. Previous debility, general depression of the vital forces, unusual and excessive physical exertion, violent gusts of passion, excessive drinking of cold water, or of alcoholic beverages, superadded to exposure to the summer sun or a hot fire, create the danger. Careful moderation in these particulars will generally secure exemption. The Arab, wandering in an arid desert, subsisting on camel's milk and a few vegetables, usually enjoys immunity; hi s blood is not vitiated by stimulating food or unwholesome drinking. Fishermen, for the sake of protection, sometimes fill their hats with moist sea-weed, though any large leaves, or even a wet cloth upon the head will answer as well. This is an infallible preventive, and should be more generally observed by laboring men. The best preventive is, decidedly, temperance, more especially in eating. During the hot weather no person should eat flesh meat more than once a day, and then in small quantities. Highly seasoned dishes are to be avoided, and plenty of good, light, farinaceous food and fruit taken in their stead.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 46This article was published with the title “Sun Stroke” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 46 (), p. 365
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07241858-365

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