i6 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXI, No. I 
much safer in the determinations of the average body temperature of 
a cow to insert the thermometer to a depth of 7 inches than to a depth 
of 4 or 5 inches. 
The fact that the vaginal curve below 6 or 7 inches is in some cases 
higher than the rectal (fig. 11, 12) and in some cases lower (fig. 13, 14) 
illustrates the inconstancy of the temperature when measured at a 
depth below 6 inches. 
VARIATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE FROM ABOUT 5 P. M. TO ABOUT 7 P. M. 
The purpose of making temperature observations from about 5 p. m. 
to about 7 p. m. is twofold: First, to study the effect of the feed on the 
body temperature and, second, to get some idea as to the temperature 
fluctuations at 6 p. m., the time representing the beginning as well as 
Fig. 15.—Variations in body temperature of cow 886 on December 9, 1919. 5*i° P* m - to 6-54 P» m * From 
5 p. m. to 5.42 p. m. eating; 6.18 p. m. to 6.54 p. m. lying. 
the end of experimental periods in the respiration calorimeter experi¬ 
ments at the Institute. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DECEMBER 9, 1919, WITH COW 886 
Observations on the rectal and vaginal temperatures were made at 
approximately 15-minute intervals from 5.10 p. 111. to 6.54 p. m. The 
cow was eating from 5 p. m. to 5.42 p. m. From 6.18 p. m. to 6.54 
p. m. she was lying. The results are represented by figure 15. 
The curves show a slight rise in temperature from 5.10 p. m. to 5.25 
p. m., followed by a gradual fall till 6 p. m. After 6 p. m. the rectal 
curve again shows a rise till 6.18 p. m., followed by a gradual drop till 
6.54 p. m., when it meets the vaginal curve. The vaginal curve is lower 
than the rectal and is parallel with it only till 6 p. m. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DECEMBER 10, 1919, WITH COW 886 
Readings of the rectal and vaginal temperatures were taken at approxi¬ 
mately 15-minute intervals from 5 p. m. to 6.30 p. in. From 5 p. in. 
to 5.36 p. m. the cow was eating. The reading at 5 p. m. was taken im¬ 
mediately after defecation. The cow was lying from 6.03 p. m. to 6.30 
p. m. The results are given in figure 16. 
