FACTITIOUS FEVER

Abstract

Patients (14) with pyrexia attributed by fraud are reported. Twelve of these were women and 5 were nurses. Many had a history of similar episodes in the past, and several had other factitious diseases. The fever was produced by holding the thermometer near a hot object, shaking the thermometer in retrograde fashion or manipulation of the anal or oral sphincter. The diagnosis of factitious fever was established only by careful supervision during the taking and recording of temperatures.