ANIMAL HEAT. 527 



fever, although both are diminished below what is generated and 

 dissipated in a state of health. 



The physico-chemical cause of death in fever by hyperpyrexia 

 is due to a coagulation of cell-globulin. If heated long enough, a 

 temperature of 43 C. will coagulate it. 



Postmortem Temperature. Usually after death the body cools 

 gradually, depending upon the temperature of the external atmos- 

 phere and the body-surface. The body of a child or emaciated sub- 

 ject cools more rapidly than does that of a well-developed and well- 

 nourished adult body. 



A temporary increase of postmortem temperature is due^ to the 

 change of myosinogen into 'myosin and to those series of chemical 

 changes immediately succeeding death. 



When death has occurred from tetanus, acute rheumatism, 

 typhoid, small-pox, cholera, or injuries to the brain, there is noted 

 a marked postmortem rise in temperature. 



