Management of Sunstroke. 93 



SUNSTROKE. 



Definition. — An injury to the brain from exposure to the 

 rajs of the sun and excessive heat, characterized by sudden 

 loss of power of motion and of consciousness, either partial 

 or total. 



Causes. — This is a very common disease, in the hot months, 

 in our great cities, and usually is directly caused by over- 

 work in the sun without protection to the head. Those 

 most subject to it are fat, young, feeble and old horses. 

 Wearing a sun-shade or a wet sponge on the top of the head, 

 giving an abundance of cool water, and wearing a breast- 

 strap instead of a collar, are the principal preventive 

 measures, and they should not be neglected. 



Symptoms. — In severe cases the horse will suddenly stop, 

 prop himself on his extended limbs, pant violently, drop to 

 the ground and die in a convulsion. In more gradual 

 attacks he will flag in his gait, be unsteady in his limbs, will 

 spread his legs in standing and totter. The head is held 

 low, the eyes protrude, the nostrils are dilated, the pupils of 

 eyes smaller than natural, and the breathing rapid and snor- 

 ing. On examination the skin is felt to be hot, the pulse 

 quick and weak, and the heart beating violently and irregu- 

 larly. Unless relieved, convulsions, palsy and death may 

 ensue; or if recovery takes place, the attack leaves for a 

 long time symptoms of dullness, drowsiness and irritability ; 

 while the horse is rarely ever after able to stand an ordinary 

 amount of exposure or work in the hot sun. 



Treatment. — Throw buckets of cold water over the whole 

 body, using considerable force, and douching especially the 

 head and neck. Having done this thoroughly, rub the skin 

 energetically with rough cloths, as bagging, etc. Then re- 

 peat the douching. There is no use in giving injections, 

 and positive certainty of doing injury by bleeding. The 



