On the normal temperature of the body in infancy and childhood / by James Patterson Cassells, M.D., M.R.C.S., Lond.

  • Cassells, James Patterson, 1837-1884.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the normal temperature of the body in infancy and childhood / by James Patterson Cassells, M.D., M.R.C.S., Lond. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    The mean of nine morning observations by both thermometer!? was nearly 971°, and the mean of twelve evening observations was a fraction over 965. Per Minute, Tlie mean of 5 observations of the respiration Morning 25 6 Evening 23 5 . pulse Morning 110 6 Evening 107 and the diurnal variation of the temperature being about 1°. Among the suggestions of Professor Aitken is one for the temperature to be ascertained during the time the child is awake; but though repeated thermometric observations have been taken under this condition, they were of such a nature as not to be trustworthy, therefore they are not given. Without doubt the animal heat is greater, but only as a result of the active movements of the child's body. Advantage was taken on two occasions to test the heat of the body of a healthy robust girl, aged 4 J years, and the result is here subjoined, with the rate of respiration and pulse per minute. Case of Agnes M . Pate, 1st August, 1866 2d August, 1866 Hour, 9.35 p.m. 9.45 p.m. Temperature of body, . . . 97^° 97° Rate of respiration, .... 20 22 Rate of pulse, 90 92 Duration of observation in minutes, . 15 20 The thermometer was in the axilla, and the child asleep for an hour before and during the time of both experiments. These experiments, although incomplete as to nmnber, may be relied upon for extreme accuracy, and seem to prove that the temperature of the body in infancy and childhood is lower than that of adult life. No doubt the actual difference is small, but it is very great compared with the statement quoted at the beginning of this paper : whether it is of much practical importance, others must decide. The small number of the
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