Consequences of overheating immoderate exertion, and great exhaustion

Consequences of overheating immoderate exertion, and great exhaustion

by C. Hering

After immoderate exertion, great relief will be felt from taking a warm Turkish bath, if that can be procured. If the limbs are painful, or burn, they will be relieved by rubbing with the bare hand or a soft flannel. Kneading and rubbing the muscles of the back and limbs afford great relief.

Overheating
When you have overheated yourself with work in summer, it is well to take a few drops of good whiskey or brandy on sugar, or a small quantity of strong wine, and refrain from drinking cold water till your breath has the normal temperature. If you are much fatigued, it is advisable to take a cup of tea.
Sun-Stroke. - During the hot weather of summer, adults as well a children, who work hard or exercise too freely in the hot air, are sometimes so much affected by the heat that they fall down suddenly as if struck by apoplexy, or first stagger, try to support themselves and then sink down. In such cases give Glonoine, particularly if the following symptoms are present : eyes fixed, without expression, glassy; pupils contracted; pulse scarcely perceptible, or so quick that it can hardly be counted; loss of speech or at least disinclination to speak; sometimes retching, face pale, white or yellowish-red; cold sweat; body cold; head hot to the touch, particularly when the hand remains long on the head.

In all cases of sun-stroke, with heat of the head internally as well as externally, warm water should be used, either by applying to the head a wet cloth, or by pouring the water upon the head.
Application of ice is senseless, and blood-letting murderous. In some cases of sun-stroke, when the heat is not only about the head, but also over the whole body; the pupils small, color of the face changing; pulse large, hard and full; when the patient shows now and then signs of distress and anxiety by different movements, as starting, putting the hands to the head, grinding of the teeth, rolling of the eyes, etc., give Aconitum in water.
Belladonna must be given at once in cases with the following symptoms : eyes fixed, half open, or turned upwards; pupils large, or very small, or of indifferent size; face red; head and whole body hot; in involuntary escape of urine and faeces; pulse full and hard; occasional twitching or trembling of the limbs; putting of the hands to the head; bending backwards of the head; heavy sleep.
To habitual drunkards, or if you smell that liquor has been drunk shortly before, it is better to give Nux vomica; if this does not relieve, Arsenicum.
Similar symptoms may be caused by exposure of the bare head or nape of the neck to the rays of the sun, by sleeping in the sun, or falling asleep near a stove, or before a grate. The same remedies, or one of the following, will be required according to the kind of headache.
Headache from Heat. - For fullness, as if the head were pressed asunder, worse when stooping, particularly in the forehead as if the contents would drop out, increased by walking, stepping and every motion, combined with hot fever, thirst, vomiting and sleeplessness, give Belladonna or Bryonia. If combined with anxiety, uneasiness, rage or great irritability, despondency, starting, fear of present objects, lamentation, weeping, etc., give Belladonna.

If the patient is very weak and peevish in the morning, cannot bear the pressure of his clothing, is more passionate and cross than plaintive and desponding, and apprehensive of future evil, give Bryonia.
If overheating always causes headache, especially if there be heaviness, throbbing and pressure over the eyes, and pains in the eyes, when using them, give Carbo vegetabilis.
When headache is caused by heat or great exertion, while exposed to the sun in summer, or by getting too warm before the fire, or by ironing when the head feels too full, and there exists a want of appetite, particularly in the morning, or diarrhoea, give Bryonia.

When the head feels too full, with the sensation of a pulsating-rising, which threatens to burst the head, give Glonoine.
Diarrhoea. - In diarrhoea accompanied by fever, caused by excessive heat in summer; and also in colicky pains occasioned by drinking milk, give Bryonia. To a person who cannot bear the heat of summer, or cannot work in the heat, particularly when troubled with night-sweats, who is very sleepy, or suffers from complaints in the stomach and abdomen, and Bryonia does not answer, give Antimonium crudum. If nausea, which is caused by the heat, returns constantly, the remedies prescribed give but temporary relief, give Silicea.

Fatigue
The fatigue after walking a great distance, or after much labor, particularly in summer, is frequently so great that rest does not relieve, but, on the contrary, seems to increase it. If possible let the sufferer take a warm, or still better a Turkish bath; if that be impracticable, let him put his feet into warm water, into which a handful of salt has been thrown. If this does not relieve, give Rhus tox. A cup of tea, not too strong, is also to be recommended.

In fatigue, with great debility, or after any great exertion, producing great exhaustion, Arsenicum will give relief.
If the exertion was accompanied by much lifting and stretching, or if it caused perspiration, and the body has been cooled too quickly by cold air or water, give Rhus tox.; particularly if the joints pain much.
Should fatigue produce a sensation of faintness, or actual fainting, or if the patient suffered great fear before or during the exertion, give Veratrum; if this does not relieve, give Gelseminum; if no food had been taken for a long time, Coffea. For great weakness, in consequence of profuse perspiration, or if the patient was previously debilitated or had night-sweats, give China. If there are symptoms of internal heat, such a shot breath and quick pulse, give Aconite, and if not relieved by this, Bryonia. If the accelerated circulation continues for several days, and the slightest exertion produces a tendency of blood to the head or chest, or if the face is flushed, give Mercurius. For soreness in all the limbs, particularly in the muscles, a feeling as if bruised, Arnica is the best remedy.
If after fatigue, particularly with people otherwise easily affected, or such as cannot bear, the cold air, there appear weakness, pain in all parts on which they lie, particularly pain in the temples; a dull, sleepy disposition, they cannot recollect; are sleepy without getting relief from sleep; some are afraid of going to sleep, on account of the beating in the head, Nux moschata will give relief.
If the feet have become sore from walking, take Arnica internally and apply the tincture externally; if they are blistered, Arnica will do no good; if the walk must be continued, apply tallow or suet; in the evening take Cepa, and apply a wet cloth.

If the fatigue is so great that it causes internal pains and restlessness; if sleep does not refresh; every part pains at the slightest touch; sitting and standing weaken very much; walking about relieves a little; the beating of the pulse is felt all over the body, give Natrum muriaticum. If every exertion or motion causes a prickling sensation in different parts of the body, Apis; if it remains or returns again and again, give Hepar.
If the limbs are painful after carrying or lifting, particularly during rest or when moving a little, and better from continued motion, give Rhus tox.; when there are shooting pains in the small of the back, especially if worse from moving and not relieved by continued motion, give Bryonia; if it is impossible to move the back, on account of excessive pan, give Sulphur. See "Overlifting".
If a person, who is otherwise in good health, feels tired after the least exertion, even from talking, or if he has lost much sleep, give Cocculus; but if talking makes him so tired in the throat, that it pains, Apis; and if this does not relieve, Veratrum; if this fails also, give Calcarea.
When walking briskly causes loss of breath, or coughing, stitches in the side or pain in limbs, give Aconite; if the stitches in the side continue, give Arnica; if this does not afford any relief, Bryonia.
If every quick motion causes an almost suffocating shortness of breath, with perspiration about the neck, Sambucus will give relief.
If the shortness of breath continues, or becomes worse, by walking briskly, running, or ascending, attended with coughing and raising of phlegm, give Silicea.
When riding in a carriage causes nausea, give Cocculus. If it causes headache, particularly if worse after riding, give Sepia. Compare article on "Seasickness".

Sitting up at night

Is always debilitating, yet every one should be able to bear it in case of need. If it produces greater weakness than usual, if persons cannot deprive themselves of a few hour's sleep, give Cocculus or Phosphoric acid. If cutting up occasions headache, or if a person has taken much coffee, wine or spirituous liquors to keep himself awake, give Nux vomica; if the headache is not caused by spirituous liquors, and the patient is unable to lie down, or has nausea, give Ipecacuanha. If the head is worse at night, but a little better in the morning, especially to mild tempered women, give Pulsatilla. If there is determination of blood to the head, heaviness, as if intoxicated, worse when moving the eyes, with buzzing in forehead, pale, haggard face, heaviness in the forehead, hardly able to hold up the head, with nausea, chilliness, weakness, weakness and peevishness, give Nux vomica; particularly if the patient is of a passionate and energetic disposition.
If the head feels empty and light, or heavy; bright light is unbearable; better in the open air, worse when lying down; particularly mild, yielding persons, give Pulsatilla.
When the head trembles, is light, there are flushes of heat in the face, blue circles around the eyes, the mouth perfectly dry without thirst, loathing of food, belching, attacks of nausea with faintness, fullness of the stomach, oppressed breathing, if worse in the air, from speaking or drinking coffee, if the patient is very sad and often startled in sleep and has frightful dreams, give Cocculus. If greatly excited in the evening, does not sleep well, is weary when rising, China; if complaining of feeling sore all over, Arnica.
In the worst cases, when body and soul appear worn out by want of sleep and great exertion, when despondent, and there is a sensation of heat deep in the head, give Cuprum. See "Mental Exertion".

The effects of late hours and late suppers may be counteracted by Pulsatilla or Nux vomica, according to the above indications, or by Lachesis or Carbo vegetabilis. See "Consequences of Intoxication".


Confinement and excessive mental application

Excessive mental application is always injurious. Everyone should daily exercise in the open air for at least one or more hours. If close confinement has produced abdominal symptoms, and if the patient has been accustomed to coffee or spirituous liquors, Nux vomica, taken in the evening, will often have a good effect; if after several days, the symptoms return, give Sulphur. When the head feels heavy and dull, Nux vomica is a good remedy; if there is congestion to the head, dizziness, throbbing of the arteries in the neck, indicating brain fever, give Belladonna. See "Headache". If these medicines prove ineffectual, and if every exertion of the mind causes headache, give Calcarea or Lachesis. If there is merely a sensation of giddiness, as if drunken, give to passionate people, Nux vomica; to mild, lachrymose subjects, Pulsatilla; Toothache, cough, fainting, and other complaints caused by mental application, often yield to Nux vomica.

Excesses

Injure body and mind more than anything else. If they consist in intemperance in eating or drinking, apply the remedies prescribed under "Disordered stomach". But if they are such as waste the very marrow and essence of the constitution, the greatest abstemiousness is a most absolute condition.

The principal remedy, and the one which should be given first, but which may be given first, but which may be given repeatedly after other remedies, is China. Afterwards, and particularly if the patient bitterly regrets his vicious conduct, give Phosphoric acid. Look also under the head of the special complaint of the patient, and select in preference such remedies as China, Phosphoric acid, Staphisagria, Nux vomica, Sulphur or Dulcamara, whichever may seem to suit best.
The same treatment is recommended when the patent has lost his strength by self-abuse; give in the beginning China, Staphisagria, or Nux vomica; later Phosphoric acid, Sulphur or Calcarea.
The patient should be persuaded to leave off his bad habits, and encouraged to constant occupation, even hard work; he should eat sparingly, take little sleep, abstain from all spirituous liquors, avoid bad company, and abstain from reading books calculated to excite the passions.
Should a morbid irritation trouble the patient, which is often the case with children, select one of the following medicines : China, Mercurius, Carbo vegetabilis, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Staphisagria or Antimonium crudum, Silicea, Platinum, Calcarea, Sepia or Cocculus. Frequently, when China and Carbo vegetabilis are insufficient, Mercurius will effect more; if not, Sulphur. These remedies must not be repeated often; Coffea, Opium, Aconite, Ignatia may be given intermediately according to circumstances.
All those who have become so much debilitated by excesses, that they are easily affected by every little current of air, or cold wet weather, prefer remaining in-doors, or are very peevish and fickle, will be relieved by Nux moschata.
If these vices have so weakened the constitutions, that the effects appear even after marriage, although then living moderately, give, if the head is much affected, Calcarea. For great weakness and trembling of the legs, the same; for asthma, Staphisagria; burning in the parts, Mercurius or Carbo vegetabilis. Weakness in the feet, heaviness, and a feeling of soreness in the limbs, dullness, ill-humour and lassitude, may be remedied by Cocculus.
A good homoeopathic physician will restore all such cases. Never consult a quack who professes to make a specially of treating these complaints with secret medicines. If such remedies were of any use, the discoverer would be more successful by introducing them to the notice of physicians. Great harm is often done by the use of patent medicines, and your complaint will be the harder to cure because your physician must remain in the dark as to the nature of the drug with which you have been dosed.

Loss of blood and other fluids

Loss of fluids by excessive perspiration or purging, or long continued diarrhoea, too long suckling of children, too great a flow of milk, too copious and long standing monthly discharge, blood-letting by the lancet, or loss of blood by other means, often occasion great weakness, accompanied by other symptoms; dizziness, headache, palpitations, etc. In all such cases give China. If any of the above causes, particularly improper bleeding, should produce fainting or convulsions, immediately give China, and do nothing else; as soon as the sick person recovers, if his mouth is very dry, or if he moves the tongue, give him a little cold water; if he faints gain, or has spasms, or if he dose no recover entirely, give him a teaspoonful of good old wine; after a while repeat, if necessary, the China, and later, the wine. After this, give him as much cold water as he wishes to drink, but not too much at once. Should any symptoms remain which are not relieved by China, give Phosphoric acid; should this fail, Nux vomica, and later, Arsenicum or Sulphur. Compare article on "Piles and Hemorrhage".