254 DR SUTHERLAND SIMPSON ON 
restless boy. The fact that the temperature was taken in the axilla need not 
necessarily vitiate the results when the subject remained in bed all the time, 
although it would have been more satisfactory if the records had been obtained from 
the rectum. 
Again, in a recent paper by BaRDSWELL and CHAPMAN,* a curve is given showing 
the average daily variation in the rectal temperature of nine healthy individuals (seven 
men and two women, all between the ages of 20 and 35 years) who were kept in bed 
during the period of observation, which varied in different cases from twenty-four to 
forty-eight consecutive hours. The ordinary meals were taken at 8.30 a.m., 1 p.m, 
and 7 p.m. During the night the individuals were aroused sutfticiently to allow of the 
temperature being recorded, and sleep was very little interfered with. Readings were 
taken every two hours throughout the twenty-four. The minimal temperature occurred 
between midnight and 4 a.m., the average for the nine individuals beng 3 am. The 
average minimal temperature observed was 36° C., the lowest being 35°°8 and the highest 
36°°3. “From the minimal level the temperature rises gradually until the period of 
sleep is completed (the average waking temperature being about 36°'4 C.), and there- 
after it rises rapidly until at 10 a.m. the temperature is 36°°9 C. From 11 a.m. till 
6 p.m. the temperature remains practically steady between 36°°9 and 37°:1, the highest 
point usually being reached between 4 and 6 p.m. After 6 p.m. the temperature begins 
to fall again, but only gradually. When the period of sleep is reached the fall continues 
rapidly until at about 2 a.m. the temperature curve is again at its minimal level.” In 
this average curve the range from 6 a.m. till midnight, which corresponds with the 
waking periods in our experiments, is about 0°°8 C. This is greater than is found in 
any of our curves except that of Mr X. Y. 
JOHANSSON,{ on the other hand, by enforcing muscular rest and at the same time 
fasting, was able to reduce the temperature range to 0°:4 C. in the twenty-four hours 
including the sleeping period. Ho6rmann f{ also found in the case of an insane woman — 
who remained in bed and took no food for three days that the diurnal fluctuations in — 
the vaginal temperature were almost abolished. 
“Rest in bed” is, of course, a relative phrase, and may have a different meaning for 
different individuals, but to remain in bed during the waking hours and voluntarily — 
inhibit all muscular movements except when these are absolutely necessary, and at the 
same time prevent one’s self from falling asleep, is a task not easily accomplished. As — 
a matter of fact, this experiment is not likely to be carried out properly by any subject 
who is not himself particularly interested in it. 
Muscular contraction is the most potent factor in elevating the body temperature, 
and sleep in lowering it. Benxpicr§ found that a change in body-position from sitting 
* BARDSWELL and CHAapMAN, Brit. Med. Jowr., May 13, 1911, p. 1107. 
+ Jonansson, Skandinavisches Archiv fiir Physiologie, viii., 1898, p. 85. 
{ Hormann, Zeitschrift fiir Biologie, xxxvi., 1898, p. 319. 
§ Brnepict, Amer. Jour. of Physiology, vol. xi., 1904, p. 167. 
