Investigations into the conditions governing the temperature of the body. 5 



variations of temperature, a slight zero correction is of no impor- 

 tance, so long as the same thermometer is employed; if we use 

 several thermometers indiscrimately in the same series of measure- 

 ments, we must, of course, know their mutual relation. 



For a sensitive thermometer 2^2 — 3 minutes will be sufficient 

 for the mercury to adjust itself, even if the thermometer has been 

 somewhat cooled down before use. 



These conditions will not offer difficulties in obtaining compa- 

 rable results; but on coming later to fix the place where the read- 

 ings are to be made, it is less easy to procure the necessary unifor- 

 mity. If we wish to compare a series of rectal temperatures, they 

 must be measured as far as possible in the same place, and this is 

 best obtained, I think, if the receiver of the thermometer is just 

 conveyed through the anal canal into the ampulla recti, i. e. the 

 thermometer is introduced about 4 centimeters, measured from the 

 anal opening. 



To measure the temperature in the anal canal is hardly correct, 

 as contractions in the sphincter region may Avell raise the tempe- 

 rature at this spot. In this connection it is worth observing that 

 Erlandsen S who has measured the temperature especially in "ner- 

 vous" patients, in several cases found higher temperatures in the 

 sphincter region than a little higher up. 



But if the thermometer is introduced too high up, the uncer- 

 tainty is also increased. In a short criticism of the casual, often 

 very negligent way in which measurements of temperature are made 

 and estimated, Thulstrup-' states, that the temperature is higher 

 further up in the rectum than in the ampulla; "highest and lowest 

 position generally gave a difference of 4 to 9 decimals"; he has 

 even seen a difference of 11°. My own observations, which are not 

 many however, are not in Thulstrup's favour, but this may possibly 

 be because Thulstrup's measurements were made on fever patients 

 in bed — this is not directly stated but seems to have been the 

 case from the context — whilst my measurements are self obser- 

 vations. 



In the measurements noted below, the temperature was first 

 taken in the ampulla and immediately afterwards 10 to 15 centi- 

 meters higher up in the rectum. It was not always possible to 

 have the thermometer equally high up, the point being detained by 

 folds of the mucous membrane. The highest point reached was at 

 a distance of about 15 cm. from the anus; on trying to get farther 



^ Hospitalstidende No. 48, 1908. 

 - Hospitalstidende No. 6, 1905. 



