SUNSTROKE. 521 



following case is related : " During active service in the presence of. the enemy, an 

 officer of rank had Minstroke. The assistants! r# -on in im-diral charge of the 

 i uittcry where this happened had tin- sufferer instantly removed to the nearest 

 shade, stripped him, used the douche freely, and had the satisfaction to see his 

 patient revive and consciousness return. An official superior "an older, not a 

 better" physician, unhappily coining up at this critical moment, insisted on opening 

 a vein ; a few ounces of blood trickled away, and so did the life of the officer." 

 Death immediately followed the operation. 



When there are convulsions the administration of chloroform is often attended 

 with the most beneficial results. By prompt, careful, and judicious treatment one 

 may fairly hope for recovery. At the same time, those who recover are scarcely 

 ever the men they were before ; they are subject to persistent headache, lose their 

 memory and their force of intellect, and become incapable, fatuous, and even 

 paralytic. Epilepsy often occurs in those who have an hereditary tendency to it. 

 For the persistent headache following sunstroke the best treatment is bromide of 

 potassium, in two-table-spoonful doses of the mixture (Pr. 31). An occasional 

 blister applied to the nape of the neck will do good. The general health should, as 

 far as possible, be maintained and improved by friction of the skin, bathing, 

 exercise in the open air, and so on. 



For the prevention of sunstroke the following rules are important : A cold bath 

 should be taken every morning, to ensure a free and clean skin. Natural perspira- 

 tion should not be checked. The clothing flannels are the best should be light 

 and loose, and the head and spine should be protected by thin folds of white linen 

 or serge, which may be kept wet if the heat is excessive. All intoxicating liquors 

 beer, wines, and spirits are to be avoided ; but water, tea, lemonade, or some other 

 simple drink should be taken freely. 



Directly there is experienced any sense of pain or tightness about the forehead, 

 or dizziness, or weakness, the sufferer should lie down, and have cold water poured 

 gently over his head. Cold tea or coffee or iced water should be given to drink. 

 A little sal volatile will do no harm, but spirits should not be given unless the 

 prostration is very great. 



The following are briefly the rules which should guide the management of 

 soldiers and others travelling in tropical climates : The weak and sickly had better 

 be left behind when the heat is very great. The costume should be adapted for the 

 early morning hours before sunrise, as well as for the scorching heat which follows. 

 A flannel shirt should be worn, and the neck should be perfectly free. Nothing 

 should be permitted to impede the free movements of the chest. The men should 

 march " easy," and the pace should not exceed three and a half miles an hour. 

 There should be a halt of five or ten minutes every hour, and a longer half way, 

 when every one should have a biscuit and a cup of coffee. When the sun is up the 

 halts should be so timed that they may be obtained in the shade of trees. In camp 

 as much space should be allowed between tents as possible. 



