HEAT CRAMPS. A CLINICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDY

Abstract

The acid-base constituents of the blood were studied in 5 cases of heat cramps and 2 of heat exhaustion at Hoover Dam in the summer of 1932. The significant changes in the electrolytes were (1) decrease in the total base of the serum as great as 15 m.Eq., (2) decrease in serum chloride as great as 10 m.Eq., and (3) increase in serum pro-teinate 6 m.Eq. There was no change in the serum Ca and P. A diagnosis of heat cramps was made with the following conditions satisfied: (1) exposure to a high temperature at work; (2) rapid uncompensated loss of salt in the sweat; (3) painful muscle cramps; (4) diminished concentration of chloride in the blood and body tissues; (5) rapid amelioration of symptoms after therapy. The treatment instituted was parenteral injection of 0.9% NaCl solution.