322 



DR. DAVY ON THE TEMPERATURE OF MAN. 



These results give an average temperature of 98-4, that of the air being about 

 55'.5. They show a slight relation between the temperature of the body and of the 

 air, but less perhaps than might be expected, and less unquestionably than would 

 have been exhibited under circumstances not equally favourable for the preservation 

 of an equable warmth, especially at night, in the uniform temperature of the sitting- 

 room ; and when at rest, from warm bed-clothes, and during the day from sitting in 

 cold weather near a fire, and from the clothing then, as well as at night, being varied 

 with the degree of cold to be resisted, having in view the preserving of an agreeable 

 feeling. The effect and perhaps best sign of the happy temperate mean in some facts 

 which I shall have presently to bring forward, may aid in illustrating the remark 

 just made. 



3. Of the Effect of Active Exercise on the Temperature. 



By active exercise, I mean that which occasions acceleration of the heart's action, 

 and of respiration, and commonly a feeling of increased warmth, such as fast walking 

 and riding, in contradistinction to the passive kind, as that which is taken in an easy 

 carriage. 



The following detail exhibits the results of observations made immediately after 

 active exercise, in different months and under various circumstances : — 



August 15, 5 P.M. After fly-fishing by the river side, and riding about seven 



hours ; feet and hands warm 



August 17j 3 P.M. After a walk of three miles ; gently perspiring 



August 20, 5 P.M. After fishing five hours; gently perspiring 



August 27, 2 P.M. After a ride (pretty fast) of five miles ; feet and hands 



warm 



August 29, 6 P.M. After a ride (pretty fast) of about fourteen miles; sun 



powerful ; perspiring 



August 31, 12 m. After a ride of ten miles ; perspiring 



August 31, 4 P.M. After an hour's walk ; sun powerful ; perspiring 



September 2, 12 m. After a walk of two hours ; the sun powerful ; perspiring 

 October 30, 5 p.m. After a ride of ten miles (pretty fast) ; feet and hands 



warm 



November l6, 4 p.m. After fishing two hours ; slightly perspiring 



December 31, 3 p.m. After riding and walking several hours ; feet and hands 



warm 



February 3. After a walk of seventeen miles ; moderately warm 



March 7> 5 p.m. After a mountain excursion on foot for several hours, and 



riding ten miles 



March 20, 3 p.m. After a ride of ten miles ; feet and hands warm 



March 31, 1 p.m. After two hours' fishing ; pleasantly warm 



April 2, 1 P.M. After riding ten miles ; moderately warm 



April 11,4 P.M. After five hours' fishing ; not heated 



April 17, 2 P.M. After four hours' fishing ; slightly perspiring 



Tongue. 



99-4 

 99-0 

 99-3 



98-7 



99-5 

 99-1 

 99-3 

 99-2 



99-3 

 98-9 



99-1 

 99-1 



99-2 

 98-9 

 98-9 

 98-9 

 99-0 

 99-2 



Pulse. 



80 

 70 

 80 



58 



84 

 60 

 64 

 64 



78 

 62 



74 

 98 



90 

 56 

 62 

 62 

 70 

 84 



Respira- 

 tions. 



18 

 16 

 20 



16 



18 

 16 

 18 

 18 



16 



18 



16 



22 



17 

 16 

 16 

 16 

 16 

 18 



Air. 



63 

 56 

 62 



64 



64 

 65 

 70 



72 



49 

 55 



34 

 32 



33 

 37 

 54 

 54 

 40 

 55 



These observations, selected from a large number of similar bearing, show in a 

 decided manner, that active exercise, not carried to the extent of exhausting fatigue, 

 raises the temperature of the body ; and that the increase is, at least within a certain 

 limit, proportional to the degree of muscular exertion made. 



