This instance occurred in a profoundly hysteric
fireman, who suffered a rather severe injury as the result of a
fall between the revolving rods of some machinery, and was
rendered unconscious for four days. Thereafter he complained of
various pains, bloody expectoration, and had convulsions at
varying intervals, with loss of consciousness, rapid respiration,
unaccelerated pulse, and excessively high temperature, the last
on one occasion reaching the height of 148 degrees F. The
temperature was taken carefully in the presence of a number of
persons, and all possible precautions were observed to prevent
deception. The thermometer was variously placed in the mouth,
anus, axilla, popliteal space, groin, urethra, and different
instruments were from time to time employed. The behavior of the
patient was much influenced by attention and by suggestion. For a
period of five days the temperature averaged continuously between
120 degrees and 125 degrees F.
In the discussion of the foregoing case, Welch of Baltimore
referred to a case that had been reported in which it was said
that the temperature reached as high as 171 degrees F. These
extraordinary elevations of temperature, he said, appear
physically impossible when they are long continued, as they are
fatal to the life of the animal cell.
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