ANIMAL HEAT. 575 



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

 to the variations of bodily temperature, under which their vital operations 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 them- 

 selves the power of compensating for these, in a very extraordinary degree. 

 This power seems to exist in Man to a higher amount than in most other ani- 

 mals ; 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 ther- 

 mometer 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 influenced 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 voyagers, a tempe- 

 rature 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. 



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



In nine examinations of infants from one to twenty minutes after birth, the temperature, 

 (observed in these and in all the other cases, in the axilla), was from 99-95 to 95-45. Im- 

 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 relation 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) 96-8. 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 tempe- 

 rature 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 

 frequent temperature was above 98-6 ; the average was 98-978; the minimum was 

 98-15 ; the maximum 99-95. 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 tem- 

 perature 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 other part of the 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 87-35. 

 (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 de- 

 voted,) 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. An- 

 dral found it to vary in different diseases not more than from 95 to 107-6.] 



