Body Temperature. 313 



In a few instances the temperature observations were taken by clinical 

 thermometers, in which case they are noted in table 190, and in no cases are 

 they included in the averages. The temperature measurements are based 

 upon the absolute international hydrogen thermometer scale. 



In the majority of experiments here reported, temperature observations by 

 means of the rectal thermometer were continuously obtained. Contrary to 

 the experience of practically all the fasting subjects, S. A. B., the subject of 

 the longer experiments, was extremely uncomfortable when wearing the rectal 

 thermometer. Unfortunately, therefore, the records during the longer fasts 

 were but imperfectly taken. 



For the specific purpose of determining the total heat production, the body 

 temperature at the end of each experimental period is of especial importance. 

 Eeserving for discussion in another publication the temperature fluctuations 

 from hour to hour and from minute to minute, only the actual temperature 

 observations at the end of each experimental period are recorded in this place. 

 The results are presented in table 190, and for purposes of comparison the few 

 observations made during experiments with food are also given. 



Under normal conditions the maximum temperature occurs late in the 

 afternoon. The temperature then falls rapidly during the evening and reaches 

 the minimum between 3 and 5 o'clock in the morning, after which it rises 

 rapidly for 2 or 3 hours." The results obtained during the fasting experiments 

 here reported show that even during fasting the body temperature generally 

 follows the normal course. While the difference between the minimum and 

 maximum temperature for the day with normal individuals with food is about 

 1 C, in the majority of the fasting experiments here reported this amplitude 

 is very much less. 18 The average difference for all Middletown fasting experi- 

 ments is not far from 0.5 degree. This is wholly in accord with the obser- 

 vations noted previously in this laboratory. The general effect of fasting on 

 the absolute body temperature can best be studied in the longer fasting 

 experiments, for if the contention is made that as the fast progresses there is 

 a tendency for the body temperature to fall, this should be especially notice- 

 able in fasts of long duration. An examination of the average temperatures 

 for the day shows that there is no such tendency exhibited during the experi- 

 ments here reported, although the verification of the statement is not easy 

 owing to deficient data. It is clear, however, that in experiments of 7 days 

 or less there is no indication that fasting lowers body temperature. This is 

 in agreement with the observations made by Paton and Stockman (3) on 



17 Benedict & Snell. Loc. cit. 



18 On the 6th and 29th days of Succi's Florence fast, Luciani made temperature 

 observations in the axilla from hour to hour during the day and night. The 

 fluctuations thus measured are not far from the normal. As Luciani states, how- 

 ever, Succi's sleep was much disturbed by the observers. 



