[Temperature changes in the mouth and pharyngeal mucosa during alternating cold and warm footbaths].

Cold and changing (warm/cold) footbaths in a curative dosage, used in physiotherapy, at first have the effect of constantly elevating the temperature of the oral and oropharyngeal mucosa. With longer duration and overdosage of the cold irrigation, a steep decrease of the mucosa temperature ensues. The extent of this reaction is determined by circadian variations. The importance of the elevation of the temperature of the mucosa is discussed with reference to resistance against infections from the common cold.