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PDFIt is impossible to observe the increase of heat which follows both massage and electricity without inferring that these agents must for a time, like exercise and other tonics, increase the tissue-waste by the stimulus they cause of the general and interstitial circulations, and by the direct influence they seem to have on the tissues themselves. I have sought to study this matter carefully by placing patients on a fixed and competent diet of milk alone, and by estimating the waste of tissues as shown in the secretions before and after the use of massage. This study, although it was never completed in a satisfactory manner, would seem to show that massage does not much alter the total elimination of the entire day, but causes a large and abrupt increase within three hours, followed by a compensatory decline.[20]
I add a number of tables, which very well illustrate the facts above stated as to rise of temperature.
Mrs. J., at rest, on the usual diet. Manipulation at 11, daily:
Before Massage. After Massage.
100 100
100 100-1/5
99-2/5 99-4/5
99-4/5 100
99-2/5 100
100 100
99-4/5 100
99-4/5 100
Miss P., aet. 24, hysteria:
Before Massage. After Massage.
99-1/4 99-1/4
98-1/4 99
98-1/2 99
98-1/4 99
98-1/4 98-1/4
99 99-3/4
100-1/5 100-2/5
100-2/5 101-2/5
100-2/5 100-3/5
100-3/5 100
Mrs. L., a very thin, feeble, and bloodless woman, aet. 29 years:
Before Massage. After Massage.
99 100
98-1/2 99-1/5
98 98-2/5
99 100
98-2/5 98-4/5
99 99-4/5
100 100-1/5
99 99-4/5
Mrs. P., aet. 31, feeble and anaemic, nervous, slight albuminuria and chronic bronchitis. Liable to fever. 3 P.M.:
Before Massage. After Massage.
101-3/5 102
100 100-4/5
99 99-4/5
100 101
99-2/5 100-1/5
99-4/5 100-3/5
100-3/5 101-3/5
100-2/5 99-4/5
100-3/5 100-2/5
100-3/10 100-9/10
99-1/5 99-4/5
These temperatures were taken always before 4 P.M., and at intervals of three days. Her morning temperature was usually 99 deg. to 99-4/5 deg., and in the evening, 9 to 10 o’clock, it always rose to 100 deg., 101 deg., and at times to 102 deg..
