72 



Scientific Proceedings (64). 



48 (980) 



The action of certain atmospheric conditions on body temperature 

 and the vascular system. 



By Frederic S. Lee, D. J. Edwards and others. 



[From the New York State Commission on Ventilation.] 



The present research represents a part of an extended inves- 

 tigation, conducted by the New York State Commission on Ven- 

 tilation, of the physiological action of various atmospheric con- 

 ditions, especially temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and 

 movement of air. Healthy human beings have been confined for 

 periods ranging from 4 to 7 hours in a temperature the air of which 

 can be readily controlled in respect to the desired conditions. A 

 considerable variety of physiological phenomena have been studied 

 and the results will be reported from time to time. 



The body temperature of the subjects before entering the 

 chamber was found to be dependent upon the average temperature 

 of the outside air of the previous night, falling and rising as the 

 temperature of the external air rose and fell. The temperature 

 of the chamber itself also influenced the bodily temperature, the 

 latter falling in an atmosphere of 20 0 C. and 50 per cent, relative 

 humidity, rising in one of 30 0 C. and 80 per cent, relative humid- 

 ity, and remaining nearly stationary in air of 23. 9 0 C. and 50 per 

 cent, relative humidity. This is shown in the following record of 

 the results observed in the third series of experiments, 19 to 25 

 observations for each set of atmospheric conditions, the subjects 

 being confined in the chamber for 7 hours. 



Period of Confine- 

 ment. 



20°C. 



50 Per Cent. 

 Humidity. 



*3-9° C. 



50 Per Cent. 

 Humidity. 



30° c. 



80 Per Cent. 

 Humidity. 



30° c. 



80 Per Cent. Humidity, 

 with Fan Movement. 



8.30 A.M. 

 3.30 P.M. 



37.12° C 

 36.52° C 



36.83° c 

 37.02° c 



36.86° c 

 37-28° C 



36.98° c. 

 37-37° C. 



The final average bodily temperatures of all observations to date 

 are as follows: 



20°C. 23.9°C 30° c. 



50 Per Cent. Humidity. 50 Per Cent. Humidity. 80 Per Cent. Humidity. 



36.73° C. 36.99° C. 37-4i J C. 



