484 Our Surroundings 



fright, loss of blood, fatigue or poor ventilation. The face becomes 

 pale, the lips white and the breathing rapid. The patient should 

 be laid on his back, with his feet slightly raised and his head 

 lowered to allow blood to flow to the brain. His clothing should 

 be loosened, and plenty of air supplied by opening doors and 

 windows. Cold water may be sprinkled on his face. In case a 

 person faints in a crowd, he should immediately be removed. 

 Recovery usually occurs in a short time. 



Sunstroke. Sunstroke is caused by exposure to great heat, 

 generally when the air is moist. It may occur under the hot 

 summer sun or indoors in hot and poorly ventilated kitchens, 

 laundries, or workshops. An attack is usually preceded by pain 

 in the head and by a feeling of oppression. The skin becomes 

 hot, the pulse full and rapid, and the breathing labored. The 

 patient may become unconscious. Sunstroke is very dangerous 

 and requires the presence of a doctor as soon as possible. The 

 treatment consists in reducing the body temperature. Pending 

 the arrival of the doctor, cold water or ice should be applied 

 to the face, neck, and chest of the sufferer. 



Heat Exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is not the same condi- 

 tion as sunstroke, although due to the same cause. It often 

 begins with dizziness, or nausea and vomiting, followed by great 

 depression. The patient does not become absolutely unconscious, 

 and does not suffer as much as one afflicted with sunstroke. He 

 should be removed to a cool place, the clothing loosened and cold 

 applications applied until the arrival of the doctor. 



Frost Bite and Freezing. The parts of the body most com- 

 monly affected by frost bite are the nose, ears, fingers and toes. 

 The frozen part should be rubbed with snow or cold water until 

 it regains its normal temperature. 



In case of freezing, the patient seems like a dead person. He 

 should be treated in a cold room. The warmth of the body should 

 gradually be restored by rubbing the limbs toward the body and 

 by the application of cloths soaked at first in cold water, and 

 gradually in that which is less and less cold until warm water can 

 be used with safety. A warm drink, such as tea or coffee, may be 

 given as soon as the sufferer can swallow. He should not be 



