452 ARTIFICIAL INCREASE OF THE BODILY TEMPERATURE. 



enables normal animals to maintain their normal temperature in a warm medium 

 ( 214), is much less in fever (D. Finkler). 



The accessory phenomena of fever are very important : Increase in the 

 intensity and number of the heart-beats ( 214, II, 2) and respirations (in adults 40, 

 and children 60 per min.), both being compensatory phenomena of the increased 

 temperature; further, diminished digestive activity ( 186, D) and intestinal 

 movements; disturbances of the cerebral activities; of secretion; of muscular 

 activity; slower excretion e.g., of potassium iodide through the urine (Bachrach, 

 Scholze). In severe fever, molecular degenerations of the tissues are very common. 



For the condition of the blood-corpuscles in fever see p. 23, the vascular ten- 

 sion, 69 ; the saliva, 146. 



Quinine, the most important febrifuge, causes a decrease of the temperature by 

 limiting the production of heat (Lewizky, Binz. Naunyn, Quincke, Arntz). Toxic 

 doses of the metallic salts act in the same way, while there is at the same time 

 diminished formation of C0 2 (Luchsinger). 



221. Artificial Increase of the Bodily Temperature. 



If mammals are kept constantly in air at 40C., the excretion of 

 heat from the body ceases, so that the heat produced is stored up. At 

 first, the temperature falls somewhat for a very short time (Obernier), 

 but soon a decided increase occurs. The respirations and pulse are 

 increased, while the latter becomes irregular and weaker. The 

 absorbed and C0 2 given off are diminished after 6-8 hours (Litten), 

 and death occurs after great fatigue, feebleness, spasms, secretion of 

 saliva, and loss of consciousness, when the bodily temperature has been 

 increased 4 or at most 6C. Death does not take place, owing to rigidity 

 of the muscles, for the coagulation of the myosin of mammals' muscles 

 occurs at 49-50C., in birds at 53C., and in frogs at 40C. If 

 mammals are suddenly placed in air at 100C., death occurs (in 15-20 

 min.) very rapidly, and with the same phenomena, while the bodily 

 temperature rises 4-5 C. In rabbits, the body-weight diminishes 

 1 grm. per min. Birds bear a high temperature somewhat longer; 

 they die when their blood reaches 48-5 0C. 



Even maw may remain for some time in air at 100-1 10-1 3 2C., 

 but in 1015 minutes there is danger to life. The skin is burning to 

 the touch, is red, a copious secretion of sweat bursts forth, and the 

 cutaneous veins are fuller and redder (Crawford). The pulse and 

 respirations are greatly accelerated. Violent headache, vertigo, feeble- 

 ness, stupefaction indicate great danger to life. The rectal temperature 

 is only 1-2C. higher. The high temperature of fever may even be 

 dangerous to human life. If the temperature remains for any length 

 of time at 42'5C., death is almost certain to occur. Coagulation of the 

 blood in the arteries is said to occur at 42'6C. (Weikart). If the 

 artificial heating does not produce death, fatty infiltration and degenera- 



