[Measurement of body temperature in the auditory canal or in the rectum: first experience with a device for continuous registration of body temperature of psychiatric patients (author's transl)].

A method for continuous measurement of body temperature over a 24-h period is presented. the temperature is measured by an active sensor placed in the external auditory canal or in the rectum, and stored on a magnetic tape in a portable cassette recorder weighing 400 g. Rectal temperature is less sensitive to environmental influence and easier to record than ear temperature. With this method possible disturbances of the diurnal temperature rhythm in psychiatric patients can be registered.