Army manual of hygiene and sanitation, 1934 / [War Office].

Date:
1941
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Army manual of hygiene and sanitation, 1934 / [War Office]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/310 (page 21)
    Diseases resulting directly from environment Effects of heat Heat stroke is due to an autointoxication caused by reten- tion of heat in the body owing to insufficient evaporation from the skin and to the accumulation of waste products from muscular fatigue under unsuitable conditions. Sunstroke is a form of heat stroke due to the direct rays of the sun. The conditions conducive to the onset of heat stroke are a hot moist stagnant atmosphere, tight heavy clothing, ill-health or any conditions which lower the vitality of the body such as constipation and alcoholic or sexual excess. Prevention is achieved by keeping the skin cool and clean, providing a free current of air by artificial ventilation, keeping the bowels open, supplying ample cold water for drinking, and avoiding over indulgence of any kind, while additional “measures against sunstroke are the protection of the head and neck from the sun and of the eyes from the actinic or light tays by means of glare glasses. Heat exhaustion issomewhat different. It is due to exhaus- tion of the heat regulating system by drainage of fluid from the body through prolonged sweating in the endeavour to keep down the body temperature to normal when the air is hot and loaded with moisture. It occurs among heavily laden soldiers on the march in hot weather, lorry drivers, stokers and others who work in hot moist atmospheres. Rest, cool fresh air and cooling drinks usually result in rapid revival. 2. Effecis of cold _ Frost bite is usually limited to the extremities such as the ears, nose, toes and fingers and is due to the slowing down and eventual stoppage of the circulation of the blood through these parts. Prevention consists in the protection of such parts and in stimulating the circulation. Trench foot is due to a combination of cold, wet and restriction of the circulation, as by tight puttees and inactivity. It is a serious cause of loss of man power in trench warfare, but can be largely prevented by not wearing boots, socks or puttees which are tight fitting, and by keep- ‘ing the feet warm and dry. Strict discipline should be /Maintained to ensure that such preventive measures are carried out. 3. The effects of minor injuries such as sore feet, chafing of clothing, scratching of sores, etc., are all minor complaints, but lead to military inefficiency. They can be prevented by education, inspection and discipline. 21 [ee