Page:Tropical Diseases.djvu/448

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406
HEAT-STROKE

light metal would not perceptibly add to the weight of the head-gear. Such sun-hats are, I believe, now manufactured. A white umbrella, lined with green or orange, ought never to be despised. Tinted (smoke colour) goggles are probably a protection, as they certainly are a great comfort in mitigating solar glare.

Rooms should be kept dark during the day, and cooled by means of punkahs, thermantidotes, tatties, Venetians, and other contrivances. In barracks and ships there must be no overcrowding. In very hot weather European soldiers should, if possible, sleep under punkahs. Military drills should be reduced to a minimum, and take place in the cool of the morning only, and after the soldier has had a cup of tea or coffee and some light food. Marches should be short, interrupted by frequent halts, and be got through, if possible, in the early morning. While marching the men ought to be in open order, relieved of all unnecessary weights, belts and clothing, and well supplied with water. Camps should be pitched in cool and airy spots and on turf and under large spreading trees free from undergrowth. Double canvas, one layer of which should be nonactinic, and grass or boughs laid on the wall of the tent, will do much to mitigate the temperature within.