PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 241 



Sun-Stroke— Insolation— Heat-Stroke. 



A distinetion has been made between sun-stroke and heat- 

 stroke in that the former occurs from direct action of the sun's rays 

 on the head while the animal is at rest, and is unaccompanied by- 

 fever. This would apparently come in the class of what is called 

 heat exhaustion in human medicine. The more ordinary sun-stroke 

 is that occurring in horses at work in the sun, and is shown by 

 lassitude, sweating, rapid breathing and pulse, palpitation, unsteady 

 movements, falling, twitching of the muscles and limbs, contracted 

 followed by dilated pupils, asphyxia, coma and death with high 

 temperature. In cattle, dyspnea, cyanotic mucous membranes, lach- 

 rymation, edema about the vulva, erythema of the udder, and diffi- 

 culty in movement are seen. 



Treatment. — The chief endeavor in treatment should be to 

 lower the fever, which is thought to be caused by disturbance of the 

 thermal centres produced by the external heat. To this end, turning 

 a hose of cold water on the animal's head and body, rubbing the 

 body with ice, and giving ice water enemata are indicated. With 

 deeply injected mucous membranes and labored breathing, the ab- 

 straction of four to eight quarts of blood may be of life-saving 

 value. If the pulse fails, the injection of camphor (gr. xv), ether 

 ('3ss), and sweet oid (5ii) frequently under the skin, together with 

 strychnine (gr. i-ii), may be of service. In heat exhaustion, with- 

 out fever and with subnormal temperature and rapid, weak pulse, 

 the use of the stimulants spoken of and a hot pack externally may 

 prove remedial. 



Prophylaxis is, of course, most essential. Horses appear to be 

 even more susceptible to heat in cities than man, and the avoidance 

 of work during the heat of the day, or at least the protection afforded 

 by head coverings, cold water applied frequently to the head, moder- 

 ation in work and frequent opportunities to rest and drink cold 

 water, should be allowed. 



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