Incidence of Cold Injury and Effects of Reduced Air Pressure in High Altitude Areas of the Himalayas

Abstract

Data covering the three-year period, 1981-1984, from the forward area hospitals, receiving patients from units operating in high altitude areas of the Himalaya reveal an average admission of 247 and 171 cases of cold injury and effects of reduced air pressure respectively. Chillblain was the commonest (85.8%) form of cold injury and high altitude pulmonary oedema the commonest (76.2%) clinical syndrome in the hopoxia group. In both groups, the disease was mild in 61 per cent cases and severe in about 36 per cent.