The Vet* Book 



containing the mercury. Between the bulb and 

 stem there is a rod or detached piece of 

 mercury. This is the " index " or registering agent, 

 and before the thermometer is used it is necessary 

 that this should be shaken down by taking hold 

 of the stem with the fingers and shaking the 

 thermometer. Bring it down to about 97 . In 

 order to ascertain the temperature of an animal, 

 take the thermometer between the tips of the 

 fingers and insert the bulb into the rectum or 

 lower end of the bowel, allowing it to remain in 

 this situation for a couple of minutes or there- 

 abouts, depending upon the time required for 

 registration. If a horse, raise the tail with the 

 left hand ; have a man to pick up one of the fore 

 limbs, moisten the bulb of the thermometer with 

 spittle and insert as indicated, taking care to still 

 retain a grasp of it whilst in its position. The 

 clinical thermometer is one of the most valuable 

 aids — not only for marking the rise and fall of 

 disease, but what is of still greater importance, 

 it affords reliable evidence during the incubative 

 period. Slight fever is present when the 

 temperature ranges between 102 and 104 in 

 the horse, ox, and dog. A moderate amount of 

 fever at 105 . High fever, at I05J to 107 and, an 

 extreme fever 107 to 108 ; the last named con- 

 dition being intolerable for any length of time. 



Very common temperatures in the horse are 

 105° and I06 . The same remark is equally 



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