Workers who have to exert in a hot and humid environment may develop cramps and other findings. These may resemble some of the changes seen in a patient with severe cholera.
Situations where encountered:
(1) working in a mine
(2) stoking coal into a boiler (locomotive, ship, etc)
(3) traveling in the desert
Features:
(1) The person is in a hot environment.
(2) The environment is often humid.
(3) The person is engaged in physical exertion.
(4) The person develops severe muscular cramps.
(5) The person may collapse.
(6) The patient may have watery stools.
(7) Exclusion of other causes.
The patient responds to resuscitation with fluid and electrolytes, especially sodium and chloride.
