On the temperature in diseases : a manual of medical thermometry.

  • Wunderlich, C. A. (Carl August), 1815-1877.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the temperature in diseases : a manual of medical thermometry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Gerstein Science Information Centre at the University of Toronto, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Gerstein Science Information Centre, University of Toronto.

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    in lilV, as, for example, to the diircrence between the jioor aud the Mell-to-do, notwithstanding tlieir dillercnt diet. lu the same way different occupations, so long as health is not impaired, appear to be entirely without iiilluence on temperature. Consequently we must conclude that the almost certain difference in the amount of \\Qniproducediw differing circumstances of life, is compensated in health, by a corresponding difference in the amount of heat given off. § 12. Individual Peculiarities, or Idiosyncrasies.—Apart from age, sex, race, and all accidental modes of hfe, and incidental influ- ences, it appears that the mean (average) temperature of healthy persons is not absolutely identical in every individual. In this point of view observations in sufficient numbers of absolutely healthy people are wanting. But if I may be allowed to draw any conclu- sions from the circumstances of those who have been ill, but have perfectly recovered, all living under similar circumstances, as for example^ all in the same ward of a hospital, and taking the same diet, &c. I must conclude that the mean temperature of different individuals is not absolutely identical, and indeed may vary from ^6'^° C. (977° P.) to 37-25° C. (99-05° F.) I have not been able to associate this somewhat considerable difi'erence of average tempera- ture in various individuals with any other special peculiarity of con- stitution, or habit of body. But it is of some practical importance to remember, that we may not make the mistake of ascribing what may be only an idiosyncrasy^, to a continuous, or latent pathological condition. In experiments on animals, still greater differences of temperatures have been noticed, between individual animals of the same kind, than occur in the human subject. § 73. The Daily Fluctuations of Tem/perature in the Healthy.— The temperature varies a little even in healthy persons, according to the time of day. Many observers have directed their attention to the fluctuations of temperature, occurring in the healthy, during the course of a day. According to Lichienfels and Frohlich (loc. cit.) these amount, on an average, to scarcely half a degree Centigrade {= -9° Tahr.) They state that the loioest temperatures occur in the night between 10 p.m. aud i a.m., and in the morniug hours, between 6 and 8 a.m. ; the highest temperature occurs between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon.