EFFECTS OF THE SUN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 15

EFFECTS OF THE SUN

SCHOOL CAPS NOT RISKY OPINIONS OF DOCTORS DANGERS FROM HEATSTROKE "Schoolboys do not run any risk of sunstroke by wearing small caps in the hot weather," stated an Auckland doctor yesterday, commenting on the suggestions of a parent that hats should be provided as a protection from the fierce" ra.vs of the semi-tropical sun. The doctor stated that cases of sunstroke were practically unknown in New Zealand

People were known to have suffered from being out in the sun too long, the doctor continued. A severe headache would be the result, but the effects wore not dangerous. The provision of hats would certainly keep off the sun's rays, and possibly save the slight ill-effects that became apparent, from having one's head exposed to excessive heat.

Another doctor stated that great discomfort could be produced from allowing the heat of the body to become too high. This could occur indoors, as well as outside. He did not consider that the rays of the . New Zealand sun were dangerous enough to produce sunstroke, Many people were able to go about all day in the hottest sun without any protection on their heads.

Having "a touch of the sun," with its attendant pains at the back of the neck, and headaches, is considered by some as an actual case of sunstroke. This, doctors say, is not so. Attacks of sunstroke are apt to leave traces of their effects, especially on the nervous system. Heat is subsequently ill-borne and there is also an abnormal susceptibility to the action of stimulants.

Closely allied with sunstroke is heatstroke, brought about by exposuro to the sun or overheated air. A moist, still atmosphere greatly increases the liability to heatstroke. The symptoms, which follow disorganisation of the normal heat-regulating mechanism, vary in their intensity and to some extent in their form. A case of average severity usually begins with sickness, giddiness and mental excitement, followed 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. Means which can be adopted to prevent attacks in the case of those who must necessarily be exposed to the sun consist of the wearing of loose, lightcoloured clothing, protection of the head _ and back of the neck, supply of sufficient water or cold tea to make up for fluid lost, and avoidance of alcoholic and other excesses. Sleeping in the open air in very hot seasons is recommended.