Apr. i, 1921 
Observations on the Body Temperature of Dry Cows 
15 
OBSERVATIONS ON THERMAE GRADIENT WITH COW 886 ON DECEMBER 5, 1919, 
4.24 P. M. TO 4.42 P. M. 
Observations on the rectal and vaginal temperatures were made 
simultaneously by means of the two thermometers as before. The 
thermometers were first inserted 7 inches deep, then 6 inches, then 5 
inches, and finally 4 inches. The results are represented by figure 14, 
and the actual temperature observations, the time, and the insertions 
are given in Table IV. 
TabeE IV .—Thermal gradient observations 
Time. 
Rectal 
temperature. 
Vaginal 
temperature. 
Depth 
inserted. 
4.24P. m. 
4.30 p. m. 
4.36 P-ni. 
4.42 p. m. 
4.48 p. m. 
0 F. 
101. 8 
101. 8 
101. 7 
101. 5 
102. 0 
0 F. 
101. 6 
101. 6 
101. 5 
IOI. 2 
101. 6 
Inches. 
7 
6 
5 
4 
7 
The results show a more rapid rise in temperature from a depth of 
4 to 5 inches than from 5 to 6 inches. There is no change in temperature 
from a depth of 6 to a depth of 7 inches, thus indicating that the maximum 
Fig. 13.—Observations on thermal 
gradient with cow 885 on December 
5, 1919, 4 p. m. to 4.18 p. m. 
Fig. 14.—Observations on thermal 
gradient with cow 886 on December 
S, 1919, 4.24 p. m. to 4.42 p. m. 
temperature was in this case reached at a depth of 6 inches. The read¬ 
ing at 4.48 p. m. is given in the table to show the effect of the time of 
day. The vaginal curve is lower than the rectal and is parallel with it. 
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS WITH REGARD TO THE THERMAL GRADIENT 
From a consideration of the results given above it is apparent that 
the thermal gradient between the temperature at a depth of 4 inches 
and at a depth of 6 inches is noticeable, while there is no material change 
between a depth of 6 inches and a depth of 7 inches. It may be con¬ 
cluded, therefore, that at a depth of 7 inches the body temperature is 
essentially at its maximum. This does not show, of course, that the 
temperature may not be actually higher in some other parts of the body, 
where there is a specific metabolic activity, but it does show that it is 
