[Intoxicants and sun strokes 375]

Symptoms.—­Acute inflammation of stomach and bowels, with great prostration, ending in collapse.  In shell fish poisoning, there are numbness, weakness, dilated pupils, rapid and feeble pulse, temperature under the normal and collapse.

Treatment.—­In all cases empty the stomach by emetics or stomach tube and the bowels by cathartics.  Stimulate if necessary.

Heat stroke.—­Called also heat exhaustion; thermic fever, coup de Soleil.  A condition produced by exposure to excessive heat.

Heat Exhaustion.—­This is caused by continued exposure to high temperatures, especially while working hard.

Symptoms.—­Prostration with cool skin, temperature often below normal, 95-96, pulse is small and frequent, sometimes restlessness and delirium.  The person need not necessarily be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, but the condition may come on at night, or while at work in close, confined rooms.

Treatment of indoor heat exhaustion.—­Aromatic spirits of ammonia one to two drams and strychnine; avoid alcohol.  If the temperature is below normal, (98.6) a warm bath can be given.  Rest in bed in a well ventilated room.

Sunstroke.  Heat Stroke, Thermic (heat) Fever.—­This occurs in persons chiefly who, while working very hard are exposed to the sun.  Soldiers who are marching with their heavy accoutrements are very liable to be attacked.  In large cities the most of the cases are confined to workmen who are much exposed and at the same time, have been drinking beer and whisky.

Symptoms.—­The patient may be struck down and die very soon with symptoms of failure of the heart, difficult breathing and coma.  This kind is most frequent in soldiers.  In ordinary cases there may be failure to perspire, premonitory headache, dizziness, sometimes nausea and vomiting, colored or poor sight (vision); insensibility follows, which may be temporary or increased deep coma.  The face is flushed, the skin is dry and hot, the pupils are temporarily dilated, then usually greatly contracted, the pulse is rapid and full, and the temperature ranges from 107 to 110 degrees or higher.  The breathing is deep, labored and snoring (stortorous).  Usually there is complete muscular relaxation, with twitchings, jerkings, or very rarely convulsions may occur.  In fatal cases, coma (deep sleep) deepens, the pulse becomes more frequent and feeble, the breathing becomes more hurried, shallow and irregular and death may occur within twenty-four to thirty-six hours.  In others, the consciousness returns, the temperature falls, the pulse and breathing become normal and recovery may be complete or leave bad results.  The patient may be predisposed to future attacks or suffer from weakness or headache, and disturbance of the mind when ever the weather is warm.

[376 Mothers’ remedies]

Prognosis.—­The death rate is higher when treatment is delayed, and when alcohol has been used as a beverage.