SUNSTROKE AND HEATSTROKE, a term applied to the effects produced upon the central nervous system, and through it upon other organs of the body, by exposure to the sun or to overheated air. Although most frequently observed in tropical regions, the condition occurs also in temperate climates during hot weather. A moist, still atmosphere greatly increases the liabil ity to heatstroke.
Sunstroke has been chiefly observed and investigated among soldiers in India, where formerly, it constituted a considerable item of sickness and mortality. While any one exposed to great solar heat may suffer from sunstroke, anxiety, worry or over work, irregularities in food, intemperance, the wearing of tight garments, marching in close order and living in overcrowded and insanitary dwellings are predisposing causes. A similar con dition affects persons whose occupation exposes them to excessive heat, such as stokers, laundry workers, etc., particularly in hot weather. In the tropics Europeans, especially recent arrivals, are more readily affected than natives. But natives are not exempt.
The symptoms of heatstroke, which depend upon disorganiza tion of the normal heat-regulating mechanism, vary in their inten sity and to some extent in their form. A case of average severity usually begins with sickness, giddiness, mental excitement fol lowed by drowsiness, and passes into syncope in which there are pallor and coldness of the skin, a weak, quick and intermittent pulse, and gasping or sighing respiration. The internal temperature is raised even as high as io8° F or more. The pupils are of ten contracted. Death may quickly occur; but if timely treatment is available recovery is probable.
Attacks of sunstroke are apt to leave traces of their effects especially upon the nervous system. A liability to severe headache, which may depend upon chronic meningitis, epileptic fits, mental irritability and alterations in the disposition are among the more important. Heat is ever afterwards ill borne and there also is an abnormal susceptibility to the action of stimulants.
seasons is recommended. In an attack the patient should be at once removed into the most shaded, airy and cool place available.
Rest in the recumbent position, the use of diffusible stimulants, such as ammonia or ether, etc., together with friction or warmth applied to the extremities may be sufficient, but in severe cases by far the best results are obtained by the use of cold (cold baths, rubbing the surface with ice, enemata of ice-cold water). The effect is a marked lowering of the temperature and stimulation of the respiratory function. Mustard or turpentine applied to the nape of the neck or chest is a useful adjuvant.
SUN (1867-1925), Chinese republican leader. Dr. Sun (known in China by the more familiar title of Sun Wen) may truly be described as the Father of the Chinese republic. His father, a poor farmer living at Hsiang Shan near the island of Macao, was a convert to Christianity (under the London Mis sionary society) and his son continued to describe himself as a Christian till his death, before which he gave instructions that he should be buried with Christian rites.
In 1891 Sun entered upon a medical course at the newly formed medical school in Hongkong of which he was the first graduate in 1894. It was here that his life-long friendship with Sir James Cantlie began. Through a Chinese fellow student, Sun came into association with a secret revolutionary society. He was concerned in a revolutionary plot in 1895, but escaped, though the other conspirators were executed. Then began a long period in Sun's life, when, like Mazzini, he was working outside his native country with the object of bringing about a revolution. In 1898 he adopted the three fundamental principles of Nationalism, Democracy and Socialism ; the five spheres in which they were to be worked out were : the executive government, the legislative field, the judicial field, the civil examinations and the department of censorship or impartial scrutiny of public matters and officials.