H 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXI, No. x 
Table II .—Thermal gradient observations 
Time. 
Rectal 
temperature. 
Vaginal 
temperature. 
Depth 
inserted. 
3.25 p. m.. . 
3.30 p. m... 
3.36 p. m.. . 
3.42 p. m.. . 
0 F. 
IOI. 4 
101. 2 
100. 5 
101. 6 
0 F. 
IOI. <; 
IOI. 5 
IOI. 2 
101. 6 
Inches. 
6 
5 
4 
7 
The results show a very rapid rise between 4 and 5 inches, while beyond 
that point the rise is much slower. In this case there was a slight rise 
in temperature from 6 to 7 inches. However, it is very likely that this 
rise is due not to this difference in depth but to the difference in time, 
since there was an interval of 17 minutes 
between the two readings and the tendency 
of the body temperature is to rise in the 
afternoon. The vaginal curve is higher 
than the rectal, but they meet at a depth 
of 7 inches. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THERMAL GRADIENT WITH COW 
885 ON DECEMBER 5, 1919, 4 P. M. TO 4.18 P. M. 
Readings of the rectal and vaginal tem¬ 
peratures were taken simultaneously by the 
two thermometers as before. The ther¬ 
mometers were inserted first 6 inches deep, 
7 inches, then 4 inches, and finally 5 inches. The results are 
£ePm/#MCHE3 
Fig. 12.—Observations on thermal 
gradient with cow 886 on December 
5, 1919, 3.25 p. m. to 3.42 P. m. 
then 
represented by figure 13, and the actual temperature observations, the 
time, and the insertions are given in Table III. 
Table III .—Thermal gradient observations 
Time. 
Rectal 
temperature. 
Vaginal 
temperature. 
Depth 
inserted. 
°F. 
0 F. 
Inches. 
4.00 p. m.. 
101. 7 
IOI. 3 
6 
4-03 p.m. 
101. 8 
IOI. 4 
7 
4.iop. m . 
101. 4 
IOI. 0 
4 
4.18 p. m . 
101. 5 
IOI. 2 
5 
The results show a very gradual rise from 4 inches to 7 inches, the 
difference being only 0.4 0 F. The order in which the readings were 
taken is significant in showing that despite the tendency of the body 
temperature to rise at this time of the day, the 4- and 5-inch insertions 
which followed the 6- and 7-inch insertions show a lower temperature 
than the latter. The vaginal curve is in this case lower than the rectal 
and is parallel with it. 
