438 



VARIATIONS OF THE MEAN TEMPERATURE. 



index of the heat of the body at different ages, but it is possible that 

 other unknown influences also are active. 



Newly-born Animals exhibit peculiarities owing to the sudden 

 change in their conditions of existence. Immediately after birth, the 

 infant is 0'3 warmer than the vagina of the mother, viz., 37*86. A 

 short time after birth, the temperature falls 0'9, while 12-24 hours 

 afterwards, it has risen to the normal temperature of an infant, which 

 is 37*45. Several irregular variations occur during the first weeks 

 of life. During sleep, the temperature of an infant falls 0'3 4 to 0'56, 

 while continued crying may raise it several tenths of a degree. 

 Old people, on account of their feeble metabolism, produce little heat ; 



*(* Indicates taking of food.] 



