Studies on the Body Temperature of the Aged

Abstract

The problem of body temperature in old age, has been studied by many researchers from the middle of the nineteenth century, but their opinions on this problem are very conflicting. The reason why the conclusions are inconstant, would depend on the insufficiency of attention to the measuring apparatus, the method, the subjects and the results of the young which are necessary for comparison to that of the aged.
For the purpose of solving this problem, the study was performed with precise notice as possible, at the first on the general clinical thermometry in old age, second on the measuring values of body temperatures in vast majority of old subjects of all classes in comparison with that of the young.
1) i) On the measurement of the axillary temperature, the thermometer is to be inserted oblique-upperwards to the deepest region of the axilla and to be held for 20 minutes at least under complete closure of the axilla.
ii) On the oral temperature, it is necessary that the mercury bulb of the oral thermometer be situated directly under the tongue and held there for 10 minutes with complete closure of the mouth.
iii) On the rectal temperature, the rectal thermometer should be inserted to the depth of 6cm from the anus and be placed there for 5 minutes.
iv) On the vaginal temperature, the thermometer with a round mercury bulb should be inserted to the fornix vaginae dorsalis and be placed there for 5 minutes.
v) On the temperature of the external auditory meatus, it is necessary that the auditory thermometer should be inserted close to the auditory wall and placed there for 10 minutes.
vi) In the clinic of the aged, the measurement of temperatures in the axilla or the mouth are more preferable, but when these measurements could not be performed correctly, it would be necessary to measure the rectal temperature. And experimental studies show that the measurements of temperatures in the vagina and the external auditory meatus are supplementary methods with their good advantages.
2) i) The axillary temperatures of 1025 healthy old subjects (60-94yrs.) were measured with careful attention and statistical results showed that the distribution was almost normal and the mean value was 36.59°C with standard deviation of 0.39°C. In comparison with those of the young, this results revealed that the mean value of the aged was significantly lower with a difference of 0.30°C and the deviation degree significantly wider. There were no difference of the mean values and the deviations among the following groups: 60-69yrs., 70-79yrs., and over 80yrs., and it was observed that the axillary temperatures of old women were higher than that of old men but the difference of deviations was not significant.
ii) The difference of the body temperature as to their locations was observed and the mean values were found to be higher in following order, i. e., the external auditory meatus, the axilla, the mouth and the rectum and the deviation degrees were wider in the external auditory meatus, the rectum, the mouth and the axilla respectively. And the vaginal temperature was higher than that of the rectum and observations on the symmetrical difference of the temperatures in the axilla and external auditory meatus showed no constant tendency.
iii) The seasonal influence and diurnal variation of the axillary temperature was carefully studied and statistical results showed that the body temperature in old age was lowest during summer but no seasonal difference was found in their deviations, and the axillary temperatures in the afternoon were found to be higher than that of just after awaking or that of the morning and deviation to be smaller range.
iv) According to the continuous observations of influences of day and night, sleep and hypnotic drug, meals, bath, change of posture and room temperature on the body temperature, it was observed that the regulation ability of the aged was more instable and irregular than that of