Progress in the measurement of human body temperature

This article traces the development of temperature measurement including the author's own experience of using thermal imaging in modern rheumatology and pharmacology. The advent of computer image processing first developed by the author for this application in 1970 has revolutionized the speed and reliability of the technique. Early work in thermometry, advances in infrared techniques, and the use these techniques in studies concerning Paget's disease and reactive hyperemia of the skin are also discussed.