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EDITOR - Raised body temperatures in staff and patients on wards
during the July heat-wave are reported as 37.33 degrees C on the hottest
day and 36.36 degrees C on a cooler day (no standard deviations given)
(1). The history of investigations of deep body temperature by the
tympanic method,however,suggests caution. Originally, a thermistor was
placed in contact or near the tympanic membrane which required careful
placement and external lagging of the ear. To remove the effect of heat
conduction between the membrane and the ear canal a zero-gradient
instrument was then devised. Finally, the infra-red instrument was
introduced which was quicker and more acceptable to patients. However, the
probe should be used carefully, like an auriscope directed on the
membrane, and not, as is sometimes the case randomly focussed on the ear
canal. Both low and high ambient temperatures greatly affect that of the
pinna and therefore the ear-hole temperature, but not necessarily the deep
body temperature.
Ear-hole temperatures
EDITOR - Raised body temperatures in staff and patients on wards
during the July heat-wave are reported as 37.33 degrees C on the hottest
day and 36.36 degrees C on a cooler day (no standard deviations given)
(1). The history of investigations of deep body temperature by the
tympanic method,however,suggests caution. Originally, a thermistor was
placed in contact or near the tympanic membrane which required careful
placement and external lagging of the ear. To remove the effect of heat
conduction between the membrane and the ear canal a zero-gradient
instrument was then devised. Finally, the infra-red instrument was
introduced which was quicker and more acceptable to patients. However, the
probe should be used carefully, like an auriscope directed on the
membrane, and not, as is sometimes the case randomly focussed on the ear
canal. Both low and high ambient temperatures greatly affect that of the
pinna and therefore the ear-hole temperature, but not necessarily the deep
body temperature.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests