Accidental Hypothermia

Abstract

Accidental hypothermia is generally thought to be uncommon in this country It is seen most often in the elderly and infirm, in patients with myxoedema Recent interest in accidental hypothermia prompts this report of nine cases admitted to the general medical wards of a small hospital within a period of four months. This relatively high incidence (2.5% of acute medical admissions during that period) suggests that the condition is more prevalent than is generally believed, and that many cases pass unrecognized.