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Temperature Today's subject is a very neglected subject in most health books. It is the subject of TEMPERATURE.( ref; Life Science ) The human body has been developed in nature over eons of time to remain homeostasis, chemical and mechanical consistent temperature. The body operates best at a temperature range between 36.6 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Various parts of the body vary in temperature. Warm-blooded animals have many mechanisms that maintain temperature. Skin, hair and wool act as insulation to help maintain body temperature. Overheating is guarded against by perspiration and respiration. The body, in an intoxicated condition, may institute accelerated function to free itself of unwelcome toxicity. In this case it may also increase the metabolic rate, hence increase temperature. Heightened temperature is called FEVER The body maintains temperature through a basal metabolism controlled by many sensors throughout the body that act as thermostats. While bodies have been drastically reduced in temperature and overheated greatly and survived, the prevailing view is that serious deviation from normal temperature will cause the body to fail in some way to supply cells with needed oxygen and nutrients, thus impairing them. Notably is this true of brain cells, which, if destroyed for any reason, are not regenerated. It is generally accepted that a brain temperature exceeding 42. 5 C destroyed brain cells. While cases of overheating beyond this range have been recorded without damage, overheating is to be avoided. Cooling is far less harmful than overheating. At a temperature of 47. 7 C enzymes begin to be destroyed and other body fluids become labile. Those who live in climates that reach 45-50 degrees C are not in danger because the body can easily maintain its temperature by its refrigerating faculties, especially in view that humidity is usually low in most areas where such high temperatures are experienced. High humidity inhibits evaporation, which is necessary to body cooling. Warmth is one of the necessities of life. Vital activities are possible only between certain narrowly defined limits of temperature. Body heat is energy. It is employed not just in resisting cold, but also in accelerating cellular activities. Temperature, within certain narrow limits, is so absolutely essential to life that all functions are excited by any attempt at its variation. An elevation of temperature accelerates all vital functions until the temperature reaches a certain variable optimum, after which any added increase in temperature reduces activity. When the body produces fever because of an internal need, we tend to panic and seek means to suppress the fever at all cost. The heat of spontaneously induced fever is produced for the purpose of acceleration of cell activity when the organism perceives that this is necessary. When there is an emergency, the metabolism is accelerated by increasing the amount of heat available. This is controlled by the hypothalamus, which is a sort of human thermostat. Metabolism consists of the absorption of nutrient and the excretion of wastes. The heat is necessary to accelerate the excretion of wastes, which have accumulated beyond the body's ability to tolerate them, and beyond the body's ability to eliminate without some extraordinary modification. Heat acts as a catalyst which causes the toxins to liquefy and pass into the bloodstream, where they are transported to the organs of elimination, and thus, out of the body. Many pathogenic organisms ( germs & viruses ) are inhibited or killed at temperatures that can be tolerated by the human body. The metabolism and chemical reactions of the body, including enzyme activity, are accelerated by a rise in temperature, thus enhancing the healing process. In view of all what we have learned from this article, let us remember that nature has got far more wisdom than we give her credit for. Next time one of our children develop a fever let us welcome it as a sign of the body's means of repairing and correcting itself. Lets give them plenty of pure water and keep them warm in a well-aerated room. Let's keep food away or if the child is hungry, a juicy fruit will do. Above all, let's keep the fever reducing remedies where they belong…. In the medicine cabinet. Wishing you all well The Crazy Nut team