(From ico, to strike). A stroke or blow. It signifies also the pulsation of an artery, and the sting of a bee or any other insect.

Ictus solaris. A stroke of the sun; insolatio; and by the French coup de so/eil. A disease arising from too violent an influence of the sun's heat, particularly on the head.

The diagnostics are a violent head ach, a hot dry-skin, a redness and heaviness of the eyes, sometimes a continual involuntary motion of the eye lids, a loss of sleep, drowsiness, occasionally with delirium on awakening, a violent fever, faintness, loathing, and thirst.

Persons not accustomed to labour in the sun are sometimes struck by its heat while on journeys, and die on the spot; others fall into a lethargy, or die in a few hours with symptoms of raving madness. If a patient escapes, he is frequently attacked afterwards with violent head achs, which in some instances affect the eye lids greatly. In others a delirium without a ferer, gutta serena, etc. are brought on.

In infants this disorder manifests itself by a heavy, deep drowsiness, which continues several days; frequent delirium; by convulsive twitchings, periodical head achs, and frequent vomiting.

The effects of too great a culinary fire are the same with that of the sun; sleeping with the head near the fire hath produced apoplexy during sleep'.

The method of cure which has been pursued is the same with that of sanguineous inflammation; bleeding as freely as the strength will admit. The legs, or, if the disorder is violent, the whole body, has then been put into a tepid bath; emollient clysters frequently injected, almond emulsion, lemonade, and similar demulcent cooling fluids, freely drunk: linen cloths wrung out of vinegar and water are also applied on the face and scalp.

Such are the directions usually given. We have, however, great reason to think the nature of the disease has been misunderstood; at least as it occurs in this climate. The affection of the brain appears to us similar to that after concussion, viz. a state of atony from excess of excitement; and the increased action to be of short duration, and inconsiderable in degree. We have seen no instance in which bleeding has been requisite; and if the slight increased action rendered leeches or blisters necessary, the period in which they were applicable was soon at an end. The vital functions then appeared to be greatly weakened, and tonics of every kind, with the most perfect rest of mind and body, were indispensable. The shock has not been soon recovered, and, for many months, the mind could not be readily exercised, or a close room borne without giddiness and confusion. After some time the cold bath has appeared highly useful; and, during the whole time, the state of the bowels and the diet should be cautiously attended to. See Tissot's Advice.