COLD WAVE IN SYDNEY.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 July 1918, Page 6

COLD WAVE IN SYDNEY.

SEVERAL PERSONS COLLAPSE. ONE CASE PROVES FATAL. • ' SYDNEY, June 25. Although heat is more likely to cause cerebral hemorrhage than cold, doctors are prepared to admit the possibility of the cold blast of last night and this morning—the lowest temperature was 42deg., the coldest of the season —having been responsible for the collapse of several persons as a result of the bursting of blood vessels of the brain. One of the cases proved fatal. John Henry Husband, aged 59, collapsed at the inquiry office of the Soldiers’ Club in George Street, where he was employed, yesterday afternoon. He died in Sydney hospital. This morning the Civil Ambulance handled two cases. Christopher Watson, aged 64, of Wattle Street, Ultimo, collapsed at the comer of George St. West and Abercrombie St., and was take into the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition. Michael Kanene, a tram-driver, of Walter Street, Paddington, was on his tram in Old South Head Road, Woollahra, when he dropped unconscious. He was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospital. ~~ >4 The cold was probably responsible for the collapse of the three'men. With the mercury making towards freezing point the vitality of the individual is at its lowest, and there' is a likelihood of it causing higher tension than usual upon the blood vessels. By constricting the vessels near the surface the cold would increase the presure on the internal vessels, and would in that way bring on cerebral hemorrhage. . ’ That the cold was felt in the city to-day was obvious. Every ray of sunshine was utilised, and it was a rare sight to see the thousands" basking in the gim in various parts of. the city during the luncheon hour. *: ! s' For instance, the shady side of Moore Street was deserted, but the Commonwealth Bank Corner, which sot the benefit of what sun there was, -was used as an idling ground by hundreds. -■ ■ -1 *.