678 GENERAL REVIEW OF THE NUTRITIVE PROCESSES. 



887. Although there appears to be, for all species of animals, a distinct 

 limit to the variations of bodily temperature, under which their vital opera- 

 tions can be carried on, this limitation does not prevent animals from existing 

 in the midst of great diversities of external conditions ; since they have within 

 themselves the power of compensating for these, in a very extraordinary de- 

 gree. This power seems to exist in Man to a higher amount than in most 

 other animals; since he can not only support, but enjoy, life under extremes, 

 either of which would be fatal to many. In many parts of the tropical zone, 

 the thermometer rises every day through a large portion of the year to 110; 

 and in British India it is said to be seen occasionally at 130. On the other 

 hand, the degree of cold frequently sustained by Arctic voyagers, and quite 

 endurable under proper precautions, appears much more astonishing; by 

 Capt. Parry, the thermometer has been seen as low as 55, or 87 below 

 the freezing point ; by Capt. Franklin at 58, or 90 below the freezing 

 point ; and by Capt. Back at 70, or 102 below the freezing point. In both 

 cases, the effect of the atmospheric temperature on the body is greatly influ- 

 enced by the condition of the air as to motion or rest; thus, every one has 

 heard of the almost unbearable oppressiveness of the sirocco or hot wind of 

 Sicily and Italy, the actual temperature of which is not higher than has often 

 been experienced without any great discomfort, when the air is calm : and, on 

 the other side, it may be mentioned that, in the experience of many Arctic voya- 

 gers, a temperature of 50 may be sustained, when the air is perfectly still, 

 with less inconvenience than is caused by air in motion at a temperature fifty 

 degrees higher. This is quite conformable to what might be anticipated on 

 physical principles. 



888. Again, the degree of moisture contained in a heated atmosphere, makes 

 a great difference in the degree of elevation of temperature, which may be sus- 



mediately after birth the temperature was at the highest; but it quickly fell to near the 

 lowest of those above stated; but, by the next day, it was again completely or nearly what 

 it was before. The rapidity of the pulse and of respiration appeared to have no certain re- 

 lation to the temperature. 



In thirty-three infants of from one to seven days old, the most frequent temperature was 

 98'6; the average was 98 - 75; the maximum (in one case only) 102'2; the minimum (also 

 observed only once) 96'S. All the infants were healthy. The frequency of respiration 

 had no evident or constant relation to the temperature. A few of the infants were of a 

 weakly habit; their average was 97-7 : the others were strong, and their average tempera- 

 ture was 99 - 534. The age of the infant (in this short period) had no influence on its 

 temperature ; neither had its sex, nor its state of sleep or waking, nor the period after 

 suckling. 



In twenty-four children, chiefly boys, from four months to fourteen years old, the most fre- 

 quent temperature was above 98'G ; the average was 98'978, the minimum was98'15; 

 the maximum 99 0- 95. The average temperature of those six years old or under, was 

 98-798 ; of those above six years old, 99-158. The average number of pulsations in the 

 minute was in those under six years old 102; in those above that age 77; yet the tempera- 

 ture of the latter was higher than that of the former, or of younger infants. There was no 

 evident relation between the temperature and the frequency of respiration ; nor in a few 

 examinations, was the temperature affected in a regular way, by active exercise for a short 

 time, or by the stage of digestion. 



As already said, in all the examinations from which these results were obtained, the 

 thermometer was held in the axilla; comparative examinations proved that the tempera- 

 ture of the axilla (though lower than that of internal organs), was higher than that of any 

 cither part of tho surface of the skin. Of the other parts examined, the warmest was the 

 abdomen, then in succession, the cavity of the mouth, the bend of the arm, the hands, the 

 feet; of which last, the average temperature, in four examinations, was only S7'35. (These 

 results correspond sufficiently with those obtained by Dr. John Davy.) 



In diseased states, (to the illustration of which the greater part of the memoir is devoted.) 

 the temperature of the skin in children may descend to 74'3, and may ascend to 108'5. 

 Its range of variation is therefore much greater than in adults, in whom M. Andral found it 

 to vary indifferent diseases not more than from 95 to 1U7-G. M. C.] 



