 | | | Subject: A87745783 - A 19th Century View of Fever
Posted Mar 5, 2012 by ddn
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The 2012 definition of the term "fever" is an elevated temperature, i.e. pyrexia. I have not read anything which would lead me to believe that the 19th century physician would not also consider fever to be an elevated temperature. "Fever" is a specific term.
It would seem to me that you wish to define fever as synonymous with illness.
For this to stand as an article in the main guide it would need referencing to primary sources to support your opinion, clearly, that what you describe is actually what the 19th century viewpoint of "fever" however my conviction is the 19th century physician saw fever as an elevated temperature, indeed the sources I have reviewed suggest Fahrenheit was measuring blood temperature in 1712 noting elevations from the norm.
I am not sure if there is an article(s) on all the more historical diseases here in the guide but if there is not perhaps there should be.
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| | | Subject: A87745783 - A 19th Century View of Fever
Posted Apr 21, 2012 by Lanzababy - Guide Editor
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| | Fever is found in almost every inhabited part of the world. Its occurrence is affected by temperature, terrain and elevation. Fever is rarely seen when the temperature drops below 40°F as the temperature rises the frequency and severity of fever increases until it reaches a plateau at about 100°F. <<<
You write this in the present tense - so I presume this is a fact that holds true today? I am surprised, as I'd not have assumed this to be so.
Also, as someone who doesn't immediately grasp Fahrenheit, would you put the temperature in Centigrade in brackets for those who only use this scale please?
Fever is most prevalent in marshy areas where there is an abundance of decaying vegetation. It was observed that fever was fairly rare in forested wilderness areas, but increased dramatically when the trees were cut and fields ploughed.<<<
Again, I am intrigued - is this relating to Malaria? or other fevers as well - also is this also from the past or present time period? 
People livng near deserts are almost exempt from most fevers. A good example of the effect of elevation is Rome, Italy where fever is common, in nearby Tivoli some 300 feet higher in elevation cases of fever are rare. This same phenomenon is seen in many areas of the world. << ditto query here too FS
I agree with the reviewers who say this is a very interesting Entry, and I would like to see it selected for the Guide. A great subject! 
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