Observations on the relative values of oral, rectal, urine, axillary and inguinal temperatures : especially in regard to tuberculosis : and the effects of exercise and other conditions

Abstract

In making these observations, my object has been, - 1.To ascertain the length of time it is necessary for the thermometer to remain- *in situ" in order to record the correct body heat. With this object in view., the thermometry of the mouth, rectum, axilla, groin and urine, has been investigated. 2.To establish the amount of variation and the relative reliability of the reading of the thermometer placed in the mouth, rectum, urine, axilla and groin respectively. 3.To ascertain the effect of exercise and certain other conditions on the temperature in health, tuberculosis, and other diseases; - also in normal and tuberculous cows and other animals.These observations - excepting those dealing with animals - have been taken on fifty -six inmates, (children and adults of both sexes) of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, suffering from various medical and surgical affections, during the months of December 1901, and January, February and March 1902. The cases chosen have been as varied as possible, a large proportion were suffering from some form of tuberculosis, - intestinal, peritonitic, arthritic, pleuritic, or pulmonary, - while the remainder were cases of, - Chlorosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Pleurisy, Dyspepsia, Endocarditis, Enteric Fevers Diphtheria, Endometritis, Ex-opthalmic goitre, Addison's disease, Malignant disease of the rectum and tonsil, Cretinism etc. Their ages varied from - one to sixty years. Specially selected, half -minute clinical thermometers, which had been tested at Kew, have been used throughout. All the observations have been taken with the greatest care and if necessary checked, if any doubt existed about the accuracy of a given reading it was either taken again), or discarded. As far as was possible the same thermometer was used for observations taken in different situations (comparison readings) - each patient being provided with a separate thermometer.