52 



TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE HUMAN BODY. 



right axilla raised the temperature above normal and consequently this curve 

 shows an initial fall, while the curve for the left axilla rose as usual, becoming 

 constant in approximately 20 minutes. 



It is noted that here, as in the preceding experiment, the rectal temperature 

 curves are apparently unaffected by a change in the depth of insertion. The 

 explanation is probably the same as before, namely, that the depth of insertion 

 was changed by the subject himself, and therefore the depths as stated may be 

 very seriously questioned. The fluctuations in both the rectal curves follow 

 each other with considerable regularity, the curves being in general parallel. 



The measurements of the body-temperature are given in fig. 20, the designa- 

 tions of the curves being as usual. 



Experiment of January 12, 1911, with F. A. R. In this experiment a single 

 thermometer was used in the rectum at a depth of 10.5 centimeters; also, 

 two thermometers were placed between the hands, one in the center of 

 the palms, the other near the base 

 of the second finger. To provide for 3 8 c 

 the closure for the two latter ther- 

 mometers, the hands were firmly 

 clasped and tied together with 

 bandages. The curves for the 

 hands show at first the slowness of 

 the cavity in approaching its final 

 temperature; then, beginning about 

 2 h 30 m p. m., there was a decided fall 

 in temperature, undoubtedly caused 

 by the unconscious partial opening 

 of the hands. The strain upon the 

 wrists was relieved at 2 h 46 m p. m. 

 by fastening a cotton strap about 

 the arms above the elbows to prevent 

 the hands from opening; after this 

 the cavity gradually increased in 

 temperature, the curves following 

 essentially the same course. It re- 

 quired a long time for the cavity 

 to attain body-temperature, and as 

 the subject appeared to be uncom- 

 fortable, the experiment was discon- 

 tinued before any opportunity was 

 afforded to observe the parallelism 

 of the three curves. 



The measurements of the body-temperature are given in fig. 21, the designa- 

 tion for the rectal curve being the same as usual, those for the hands being H c 

 and H F for the thermometers in the center of the palms and at the base of the 

 second finger, respectively. 



37.8 



37 6 



37.4 



37.2 



37.0 



36.8 



36.6 



36.4 



36.2 



36.0 



35.8 



1.40 P.M. 2.00 2.20 240 3.00 3.20 3.4-0 



Fig. 21. Temperature curves for experiment of January 

 12, 1911, with F. A. R. 



