In order to clarify the present status of accidental hypothermia in Japan, “Questionnaires on the death from cold and the hypothermia”were sent to the members of Japanese Medical Association in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Niigata and Yamanashi, and to the general hospitals in Tokyo and Kanagawa. Of the 5743 questionnaires sent out, 1697 responses including 74 case reportes were returned. The following results were obtained.
I) Concerning the 74 case reports on the accidental hypothermia (AH) including the death from cold: 1) AH occurred more often in males than females. The peak incidence of AH was found in subjects in their fifties. 2) AH was found more often in winter than in summer. 57 cases were found out doors. The peak incidence of AH occurred at environmental temperatures between 5 to -5°C. AH occurred more readily in wet conditions, such as rain or snow, in the bath or falling in a pond. In such conditions, AH took place at environmental temperatures above 5°C. 3) The causes for the AH were; accident (17cases), disaster (11), drinking (28), attempted suicide (8), and with various diseases (10) . AH due to drinking was seen most often in forties and fifties. 4) When body temperature was above 20°C at the time of discovery, some patients recovered. However, some died due to hypothermia even when the body temperature was above 30°C.
II) Concerning the 26 case reports on the senile patients over 60 years old: 1) In senile patients, the proportion of females was higher than that in the younger group and AH was often associated with various diseases. 2) The majority of the 14 senile cases lived with their family in a house, and their economical status was considered average. The five subjects needed medical care, one patient exhibited urinary incontinence, and three dementia. The phenomenon of AH occurring in the aged, who live alone under poor economical conditions, as seen in Europe and USA, was not found in the present survey.
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