Prognosis
This is most favorable as to ultimate complete recovery, but some cases show a prolonged convalescence with manifestations of irritable heart or neurasthenia.
Prophylaxis and Treatment
Prophylaxis consists in attacking the louse problem, although attention should be given to the disinfection of the urine.
Acetylsalicylic acid may be given to relieve the headache and the muscle pains; and some laxative for the usual constipation. There is no specific treatment.
CHAPTER XLI
HEAT STROKE AND HEAT PROSTRATION
General Considerations
It has been customary to differentiate etiologically, as well as clinically, the two most common manifestations of the effects of high temperature. Clinically we note cases (1) with a rapidly rising temperature, which often reaches a very high point, together with a hot, dry, reddened skin, heat stroke; and again we note cases (2) with pale clammy skin, marked evidences of cardiac weakness and a normal or subnormal temperature, heat prostration.
Brooks in a most excellent discussion of the subject applies the designation diathermasia to the former group of cases and regards them as connected with an undue retention of heat within the body. To the latter group, which he considers to be connected with exposure to the actinic rays of the sun, he applies the designation phoebism.