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Classic
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page 427
on by work in a heated atmosphere. Those who sleep in badly ventilated
apartments are most subject to it. Most cases are preceded by pain the head,
wandering thought and loss of mental control, disturbed vision, irritability,
sense of pain, and weight at pit of stomach, and labored breathing. The skin is
hot and dry, or covered with profuse perspiration; the face bluish; the breath
rapid and short; and the action of the heart "fluttering." In many instances the
patient does not move an eyelid, from the beginning of the main attack until
death ensues.
Carry the person attacked at once to a cool, airy spot, in the shadow of a wall,
or to a large room with a bare floor, remove clothing gently, place patient on
the back, raise head two inches by a folded garment, dash entire body with water
profusely, supplying basin with cold water from two buckets, one of which is
filled with water and finely pulverized ice while the other is supplying the
water used by the attendant. Dash on water with force, particularly on head and
chest. Two persons may also rub the entire body, particularly the head, with a
towel in which is wrapped pulverized ice. As soon as a decline in heat is
noticed remove patient to a dry place, and wipe dry. If heat comes on again when
consciousness is restored, renew cold applications. As soon as the heat
declines, artificial respiration must be resorted to, until the natural takes
its place. There being real asphyxia, as in drowning, no medicine is of use, and
alcoholic stimulants should be carefully avoided. To prevent sunstroke, use no
malt or alcoholic liquors, avoid overwork and exhaustion, take plenty of sleep
in a well-ventilated room, bathe every night, avoid drinking large quantities of
water, especially at meals, wear loose-fitting garments, protect the head with a
covering that will shelter from the sun and yet permit free circulation of air
over the scalp; a straw hat of loose texture, with a lining that may be wet when
going out, and a broad brim to protect neck and shoulders, is best.
LIGHTNING.--If the person shows no signs of life, strip and dash the body with
cold water, dry and place in bed with bottles of hot water at the pit of the
stomach and extremities, keeping up artificial respiration until the natural
breathing is restored; a tea-spoonful of brandy in a table-spoonful of water,
may be given every few minutes. Burns from lightning should be treated like
burns from any other cause.
SHOCK OR COLLAPSE from lightning, sudden and severe injuries, burns extending
over a large extent of surface, or powerful emotions, produces something
analogous to fainting. Place the patient flat on the back, with the head raised
not more than an inch, and give a tea-spoonful of brandy in a table-spoonful of
water, every minute for six or eight minutes. If the temperature of the body has
been raised, and the action of the heart is restored, enough has been given.
Application of heat to the stomach and extremities is useful. The nausea and
vomiting that sometimes accompany it may be allayed by swallowing whole small
chips of ice, split off by standing a piece with grain upright and splitting off
a thin edge with the point of a pin. Ammonia applied to the nostrils is often
useful, and cologne on a handkerchief is sometimes of service.
FAINTING.--Debility of the nervous system favors fainting. The head should be
kept low; and if the patient faints in a chair, the simplest treatment is to
grasp the back of it and depress it until the floor is reached, while another
holds the knees so as to prevent slipping off the side. The patient will usually
recover by the time the head has reached the floor.
SHOCK FROM COLD WATER.--Prostration from drinking or bathing in cold water while
exhausted by heat or exercise should be treated as described for shock from
other causes. Cold water should be taken in small quantities
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