Page 74 - My FlipBook

DENTAL MEDICINE. —
72
The following diagram will explain the variance :
Fahrenheit o. 32 77 122 167 212
Centigrade 1777 ° 25 50 75 100
Reaumur ........ 14.22 o 20 40 60 80
When a thermometer, in the process of vulcanizing, gives
trouble by the column of mercury becoming divided, the divided
portion remaining in the top of the tube, the best method is to
unscrew the thermometer and turn it upside down, and make the
mercury in the bulb unite with the mercury in the tube, so that
it may coalesce perfectly. This is a better method than striking
the thermometer sharply in the hollow of the left hand, and
thereby risking the breaking of the thin glass tube.
Temperature.— The Clinical Thermometer is employed as a valu-
able means of diagnosis and prognosis. It is valued because the
vital processes can only be normally and perfectly performed at
the temperature of 98.5°, and just in proportion as it varies from
this, either above or below, they are changed or entirely arrested.
This standard of temperature, 98.5°, of the healthy body, is sub-
ject to slight variations during the day. A temperature of 105°
is usually considered dangerous and 107° is generally fatal; any
rise above the normal indicates fever, and a decrease indicates
shock or collapse. Although observations show that the normal
heat, which is the most essential condition of life, may be con-
siderably altered by a number of circumstances, yet the variations
in health are generally temporary and within narrow limits,
whereas those which arise from disease are persistent during the
continuance of the abnormal condition. Both increase and de-
crease of temperature have to be considered, for while an increase
of four to six degrees may be maintained for a month, and not
endanger life, a decrease of but one degree, if maintained for a
considerable time, will result in death. The temperature in
fevers is highest in the evening and lowest in the morning. But
in the fever resulting from difficult dentition the temperature is
highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. The increase
in temperature of the body is usually proportionate to the fre-
quency of the pulse, one degree corresponding to an increase of
ten beats per minute. Thus —