RECTAL TEMPERATURE. 



85 



can be drawn, for obviously the pulse-rate at other ages should be 

 studied and supplementary data should be obtained for the higher 

 ages included in our observations. 



AVERAGE PULSE-RATE WITH INCREASING AGE. 



From the foregoing analysis it can be seen that there is no striking 

 difference between the pulse-rates of girls and boys. Accordingly, as 

 a tentative measure of the average minimum resting pulse-rate of 

 children of both sexes, we have taken the values given in table 21 

 as approximately normal values. In view of the special conditions 

 under which these pulse-rates were obtained, namely, complete muscu- 

 lar repose and with the subject entirely unconscious of the records, it 

 is seen that we have here true physiological values uncontaminated by 

 activity. 



TABLE 21. Approximate normal minimum values for pulse-rates of children 

 during complete muscular repose. 



RECTAL TEMPERATURE. 



Any physiological study of body temperature, to be of true scientific 

 value, must deal with temperatures taken deep in the body trunk. 

 The extraneous factors of exercise, mouth-breathing, and the effect of 

 previously taken foods so greatly vitiate all measurements of the buccal 

 temperature that they have little, if any, value except for demon- 

 strating the absence of fever. It has been the custom of many clini- 

 cians to take the temperature of young children in the axilla or in the 

 groin. These records, aside from likewise showing the presence or 

 absence of fever, have no physiological value, for it has been found 

 that even when these cavities are well-closed a very considerable period 

 of tune is required to raise their temperature to that approximating 

 the interior of the body. 



In our study of certain physiological factors during growth, the 

 rectal temperature was measured primarily to demonstrate the 

 absence of any febrile condition, since the presence of fever would of 

 course preclude further observations with the child in this abnormal 

 state. Every reasonable effort was made to have these measurements 

 meet the exactions of scientific accuracy, but as ordinary clinical 

 mercury thermometers were used, even though well-tested, and there 



