Hearing.—Sudden and total deafness may be caused by lightning, as in the case of Cook, where perforation of both tympana was found. This may prove to be only temporary, as in the case of Nason, where the patient, though totally deaf at first, is reported as hearing fairly on the fifth day; on the seventeenth day, however, the hearing was still dull. The deafness may be permanent. With deafness tinnitus is apt to occur. Hyperacustia, or extreme sensitiveness to noise, has also been reported in several cases.
Smell and Taste.—The person affected sometimes has noticed a smell resembling that of sulphur, and this has also been said to have been apparent to others. A metallic taste in the mouth is not rare.
General Symptoms.—When first struck by lightning and while still unconscious, the patient has usually a flushed and reddened face, with dilated pupils. Immediately following, or perhaps without this preliminary stage, appear the symptoms of collapse. Cyanosis may occur, and the patient may appear to be asphyxiated.
Fever, not caused by injuries, may sometimes occur, but certainly not to any extreme degree. In many cases the temperature when taken was normal, and even in cases of severe stroke without serious surgical injury the temperature has not risen above 101°. In these latter cases it is hard to say how far the temperature is affected by the burns which are always present.
The pulse is sometimes slow, sometimes rapid and feeble, or almost imperceptible; at times it is irregular.
The respiration is apt to be labored. In Paige’s case there was marked dyspnœa. It may be almost imperceptible. It is sometimes slow and sometimes rapid.
Nausea and vomiting occur often after recovery of consciousness. Vertigo and reeling may exist from various causes.
It is probable that seminal emissions may occur at the moment of shock.
Menstruation, when present, may be checked or may continue. Pregnant women do not necessarily abort.