Temperature Changes in Trachea and Kidney in Relation to Heat and Cold on Skin

Abstract

The technic in these experiments was exactly the same as described in the preceding article. The only difference was the electrodes, which, though of the same device, construction and shape, were of different size and applied to different objects. Here we present our findings of the temperature of the mucous membrane of the trachea and normal and denervated kidneys, In the case of measuring the temperature of the mucous membrane of the trachea, dogs were used. The tracheotomy was performed under nembutal anesthesia, the electrode applied flatly to the surface of the mucous membrane of the trachea, fastened by a piece of cork, the latter resting on the opposite side of the trachea. Then the incision was closed. On the first chart are all the average readings of the temperature of the mucous membrane of 8 dogs, which we divided in two groups. The upper curves on the chart represent 3 dogs and the lower 5. The reason for this is that the dogs reacted quite differently: the smaller group were more sensitive, the larger more stable. But the general conclusions are that the trachea responds to the exposure of the skin to cold and heat the same as the skin itself. For measuring the temperature of the kidney's surface we exposed the organ, placed the electrode flatly to the kidney, fastened it with adhesive plaster, replaced the kidney and closed the wound. The same can be said concerning the normal kidney (3 dogs) which follows in general the reaction of the trachea. In the denervated kidney (2 dogs) there is a great difference in comparison with the normal; the temperature of a surface of the kidney follows quite closely the temperature of the blood.