1108 ANIMAL HEAT 



disturbances do not lie in the oxidation of the non-nitrogenous sub- 

 stances, but rather in that of the proteins. Furthermore, since the 

 intake of food is greatly diminished in fever, the oxidations must go 

 on chiefly at the expense of the protein of the tissues. This is proved 

 by the fact that the total excretion of nitrogen is increased, at least, 

 in proportion to the amount of protein ingested, and reaches its highest 

 value directly after the crisis and during the period of defervescence. 

 It appears, therefore, that the products of the bacteria give rise to 

 some derangement of the protoplasm of the cells, in consequence of 

 which they are rendered especially vulnerable to the hydrolyzing and 

 oxidizing agents which are always present in the tissues. The constant 

 drain upon the store of the tissue-proteins then ensuing, cannot be 

 made good by a corresponding intake nor are the cells able to protect 

 their proteins sufficiently by means of carbohydrates and fats. Conse- 

 quently, this tearing down process must continue and give rise eventu- 

 ally to an excessive production of heat which is not compensated for 

 by an equally intense dissipation. In other words, fever is the result 

 and not the cause of this disorder in the metabolism of the tissues. 

 The common view is that fever is a pathological process and must 

 be combated, because the body cannot long withstand a temperature 

 of from 44 to 45 C. But since fever is merely one of the expressions 

 of a cellular reaction instituted in consequence of pathogenic influences, 

 its removal by cold baths and drugs cannot give permanent nor bene- 

 ficial results. Whether fever as such possesses a favorable influence 

 upon the body and actually helps in combating the pathogenic proc- 

 ess is a much debated question. Bacteriologists, however, claim that 

 it serves as a protective mechanism, because many bacteria are killed 

 at a temperature slightly above that of the body. This is true of the 

 streptococcus of erysipelas which does not develop at 39 to 40 C., 

 as well as of the bacillus of anthrax which, when kept at 42 C., is 

 greatly attenuated. Even the temperature range of the bacillus of 

 diphtheria and of the pneumococcus is limited. It has also been sug- 

 gested that a high body-temperature may be required for a copious 

 formation of immune bodies which would then remove the cause of 

 the abnormal protein-metabolism by antagonizing the agent of the 

 infection. 



