The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-02-20
aflanitouoe pilot.
INDICATIONS OF DISEASE.

The pulse, temperature and respira-
ton have 4 close connection with each
other. Their regular order by way Of
effect must be pulse. respiration and
temperature The increased action of
the pulse causes an accelerated respira-
ton, and this induces an augmented
temperature. In infancy, the pulse and
respiration are modified by indigestion.
sleep, irritation and muscular exertion,
as in kicking and sucking, but those va
riations are Of little consequence. unless
corresponding changes OF temperature
occur at the same time An infant at
birth may have an average pulse Of $50
In minute, and respiration of 30.
In its third year child may have a
pulse of 100 and respiration of %: in
its seventh year, a pulse of 50 and a
respiration Of y; in its tenth, pulse
Of - and respiration Of 20. An adult,
when undisturbei in mind or body, may
have an average pulse OF 70 and respir-
alton Of &c.
Mothers ought to have a general no
tlon Of the meaning Of the pulse. In
disease, we should notice its frequency,
frllness and regularity. The pulse of a
healthy child beats evenly and steadily
at 100 in minute, an adults may beat
at 70. The only way for mother to
Judge Of the character Of her children's
pulses, is to observe their character
whom they are well No absolute large
ness, smalIness, hardness or softness ex-
lists; al things have these qualities by
comparison.
The temperature of the body depends
upon the action of the heart. The nor
mai average Of body warmth is 9S de-
grees. The highest point is reached in
the evening hours. Rest, exercise,
calmLess, disturbance, sleep and climate,
cause variations even in the well, but
much greater in the ILL., Physicians are
now in the habit of noting definitely not
only the pulse and respiration, but the
temperature. A thermometer has been
so constructed that ITS bulb may be
placed beneath the tongue, and thus
enable the physician or attendants to
detect at once any slight deviation from
the healthy standard. One observation
may be of little value. but if the Their
mOmctcr indicates a higher and higher
temperature from morning to evening,
or from day to day, something must be
wrong, and the sufferer must be watch
ed, The pulse respiration and temper
allure have become definite and exact
factors in diagnosis. A rising tempera-
ture may not always show what disease
Is coming, but may show what disease
is not coming \ rising temperature of
three degrees may indicate the presence
Of measles or scarIetina, but it does not
mean typhoid fever. Observation teaches
US many things on the subject In this
way we learn that high temperature in
measles usually precedes the eruption
some four days or more: in scarletina
one day; Ill smallpox, two In whoop-
ins-cough an increase of temperature
means that pneumonia is on its way In
diphthena an increase of temperature is
the earliest warning. Our feelings are
not trustworthy measurers Of heat.
In nearly all diseases some gain ac-
crues from observing increases or de-
creasos of temperature. The one de-
mands cooling remedies, the other re-
quires stimulating and sustaining means,
An increase that begins earlier from day
to day is Lad sign, whilst if it begins
later the Indication is good. A high
temperature long continuing is bad, but
low temperature long continuing means
that the patient is convalescing. Avery
high temperature-say 104 degrees.
that has increased from day to day and
comes earlier daily--Isa sign of danger.
\ rapid fall from high degree to two
or more degrees below the normal TEN
perature is alarming. \ temperature
falling below the normal point is more
dangerous than a rising one. The dam
ger is. first in the degree Of depression
and then in Its continuance.
In eonvalescenee, a falling temporal
ture means that the food given does not
nourish and so does not increase the .
body heat, or, if sudden rise occurs
soon after eating, this augmented tenn I
Icrature means that the food is too slim /
ulating. Ii is not the rising temporal T
ture that We should notice so much as
the sudden aud great increase of tenn
perature 4 moderate increase of /
warmth after eating and during diges-
ton we should expect, but ought to
guard against an excess that may induce
the indications Of fever. The art of
inducing convalesence consists in grad I
ually restoring normal heat.
THE GROWING DISCOVERY.
Al The ..nhnnas" Of this nhnentin acr.a