CHAPTER XV 



THE FACTORS ESSENTIAL TO THE PRO- 

 DUCTION OF BODY TEMPERATURE 

 OR HEAT 



THE human body maintains an even temperature 

 during life, due to the results of chemic changes going 

 on within the tissues and organs of the body as a 

 result of metabolism. These changes result from the 

 processes of oxidation taking place in the cells of the 

 body by the union of oxygen with the elements 

 carbon and hydrogen, contained within the food we 

 eat, either before or after they become constituents of 

 the tissues. During metabolism of the body the food 

 is again broken up into simple compounds, as carbon 

 dioxide, w r ater, and urea, which evolve a large portion 

 of their energy as heat and mechanic activity. 



The body is continually giving off heat called 

 heat dissipation, and this heat dissipation must be 

 replaced by an equal amount of heat liberation, 

 called heat production, by the tissues as a result of 

 metabolism, else the even temperature of the body 

 would not be maintained, as is necessary for the 

 normal action of the physiologic processes of the body. 



Heat Production. Heat production is derived from 

 the formation of carbon dioxide, urea, and water, as 

 a result of oxidation of the tissues by the union of 

 oxygen with the carbon and hydrogen of the food. 

 And mechanically each of the following actions 

 contribute to the production of heat: Contraction 

 of muscles, during the secretions of glands, the force 

 exhibited by the nerve system in producing its func- 

 tions of receiving and conveying impulses throughout 



