During their retreats in World War II Japanese soldiers estimated survival of their comrades based on clinical observations. These may apply to patients who share similar underlying conditions.
Underlying conditions:
(1) severe malnutrition
(2) strenuous physical demands
(3) concurrent tropical diseases, especially malaria
Observation
Estimate of Survival
able to stand up
2 weeks
able to sit up
1 week
unable to blink eyes
< 24 hours
According to Richard Frank, the original source was Second Lieutenant Yasuo Ko’o of the 124th Infantry:
Observation
Estimate of Survival
able to stand up
4 weeks
unable to stand but can sit up
3 weeks
unable to sit up
1 week
have to urinate lying down
3 days
have stopped speaking
2 days
unable to blink eyes
< 24 hours
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