134. Royal Society. 
received opinion, the temperature of the human body, as mea- 
sured by a thermometer placed under the tongue, is not a constant 
one, the author has resumed the inquiry, and gives, in the present 
paper, the results of numerous observations made with a particular 
instrument constructed for the purpose, admitting of minute accu- 
racy (each degree of the scale being divided into ten parts), and 
when used with the precautions pointed out, affording satisfactory 
indications of the many problems which may be proposed relative to 
the temperature of man, &c., confining himself to a small number, 
and offering the information he brings forward only as a preliminary 
contribution in aid of their solution. 
The paper is divided into seven sections. 
The first treats of variations of temperature during the twenty-four 
hours. The author finds from his observations, that the temperature 
is highest in the morning, on rising after sleep; that it continues 
high, but fluctuating, till the evening; and that it is lowest about 
midnight, ranging on an average from 98°7 to 97:9. 
The second, of variations during the different seasons. These, he 
finds, bear some relation to the temperature of the air, but less than 
might be expected; which he attributes to the majority of the ob- 
servations having been made within doors, under circumstances pe- 
culiarly favourable to uniformity. 
The third, of the influence of active exercise on the temperature. 
The effect of this, when not carried to the length of exhausting fa- 
tigue, he finds to be elevating; and that the augmentation is, within 
a certain limit, proportional to the degree of muscular exertion. 
The fourth, of passive, such as carriage exercise. The effect of 
this in a cool air, contrary to that of quick walking or riding, would 
appear to be lowering. 
The fifth, of abstinence from all exercise in a cold atmosphere. 
This he finds to be depressing in a still greater degree; sitting in a 
cold ehurch has occasioned a reduction of temperature from 1° to 
2°, the air of the church being from 42° to 32°. 
The sixth, of sustained attention or exertion of mind. This would 
appear to have the effect of raising the temperature, but in a much 
less degree than bodily exercise. 
The seventh, of taking food. It would appear that a light meal, 
such as breakfast, alters very little the temperature, whilst a heavy 
meal, such as dinner with wine, tends to lower it. 
The conclusion drawn by the author from his observations, con- 
sidered in their greatest generality, is, that the temperature of man 
is. constantly fluctuating within a certain limit, regularly during 
the twenty-four hours; and irregularly according to the operation 
of certain disturbing circumstances. 
Should multiplied observations give similar results, he infers that 
they will admit of many applications, both as regards the regulation 
of clothing, the warming of apartments, and it may be the preven- 
tion and eure of diseases,—conducive alike to increase of comforts 
and health. 
Tables ave appended containing a series of observations extend- 
