158 
MUSCULAR WORK 
millimeters in diameter. When the subject is at rest, the thermometer is 
tolerated for hours at a time without the slightest inconvenience; in fact 
after the thermometer has been inserted for 5 minutes, the subject is usually 
unconscious of its presence. On the other hand, when the subject is riding 
at high speed on the bicycle ergometer, more strain is naturally brought upon 
the sphincter, which increases the possibility of irritation, so that the objec- 
tion of the subject to the thermometer could be easily understood. 
The few observations made were, however, very accurate and represent- 
ing as they do records obtained during the actual time of severe muscular 
work, they have a somewhat unusual interest. The results have been plotted 
in the form of curves shown in fig. 10. In the first experiment of which the 
curve is shown, that of December 20, the work began about 9 h 30 m a.m., 
the initial record being made at 9 h 35 m a.m. Unfortunately no records were 
taken before the work began. In 20 minutes the temperature steadily rose 
from 36.39° C. to 37.08° C, then gradually mounted until at 10 h 17 m a.m. 
the temperature had reached 37.22° C. For a period of approximately 20 
minutes, the measurements were lost and when resumed, the first observa- 
37.9 
37.8 
37.7 
37.6 
37.5 
37.4 
87.3 
37.2 
37.1 
37.0 
36.9 
36.8 
36.7 
36.6 
36.3 
36.2. 
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A.M.8.20 8.30 8.40 8.50 9.00 9.10 9.20 9.30 9.40 9.5010.0010.1010.2010.3010.4010.5011.0011.1011.2011.3011.4011.5012.00 
Fig. 10. — Continuous records of the rectal temperature obtained by thermal 
element during severe muscular work. 
The work began about 9 h 30 m a.m. and ended as indicated by the group of arrows on the chart. 
tion, which was taken just before the work ceased, gave a record of 37.39° C 
After the work there was an immediate rapid fall which persisted until the 
observations were discontinued at ll h 40 m a.m., at which time the body- 
temperature was still falling. Throughout these observations, the subject 
