64 BODY TEMPERATURE AND COMFORT. 



Records in Various Climates. 



Edinburgh, Scotland. — During residence in Edinburgh, the 

 temperature in the axilla averaged 97° (Chart I). This was the 

 case for at least eight years. This axillary temperature is much 

 below the mean daily temperature of the average man, which is 

 usually given as 98.45° (5). The low temperature is explained by 

 the fact that the subject has a normal temperature below the 

 average. The records given on Chart I. were taken during resi- 

 dence at a hospital in Edinburgh. The mean annual atmospheric 

 temperature for Edinburgh is 47.7°. 



Bungalow Xo. I. Singapore. — This bungalow is situate on a 

 hill, about 150 feet above the sea. It looks out over the harbour 

 and nearly always enjoys a cool breeze. Whilst in this bungalow 

 the subject very rarely felt uncomfortably hot. On these occasions 

 there was no breeze. On Chart II it will be seen that the average 

 axillary temperature was 97.1 °, practically the same figure as for 

 Edinburgh. The mouth temperature averaged 97.7°. It occasion- 

 ally fell below that of the axilla. This was probably due to mouth- 

 breathing, the subject suffering fairly frequently from nasal 

 catarrh. The mouth is always liable to considerable local variation 

 of temperature, but the axilla is not. 



It was observed that an axillary temperature of 97.6° produced 

 discomfort. 



The average wet and dry bulb readings were 76.3° and 81.4° 

 respectively, the atmosphere being warm and moist. 



Ordinary white ducks with light woollen vests were worn. 

 Ninety nine people out of a hundred in Singapore wear white ducks 

 or very similar clothing. This is sufficient proof of their comfort 

 to the ordinary individual. Some object to them because of the 

 glare. Wearing dark coloured spectacles will overcome this trouble. 



. Lembang, Java. — On Chart III are given records of nine days* 

 residence at Lembang, 4000 feet above the sea. The average 

 axillary and mouth temperatures were 96.7° and 97.2° respectively, 

 the subject, feeling comfortably cool. The atmospheric temper- 

 ature was fairly low, the readings being 64.7° for the wet bulb and 

 69.1° for the dry bulb. Warm clothing was worn during the 

 evenings. 



Between the hours 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the hottest time of the 

 day it was occasionally uncomfortable, the axillary temperature 

 being 97.6° or more. 



Bungalow No. II. Singapore. — During succeeding years the 

 subject experienced several uncomfortably hot bungalows. Chart 

 IV. gives fhe records taken in such a bungalow. The average 

 axillary temperature was 97.6°. This caused discomfort. It will 

 be seen that as far as atmospheric temperature and moisture were 



Jour. Straits Branch 



