IO 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXI, No. I 
OBSERVATIONS ON DECEMBER 3 , 1919, WITH COW 885 
Reading's of the rectal and vaginal temperatures were taken at approxi¬ 
mately i-hour intervals from 8.20 a. m. to 11.12 a. m. and from 1.38 p. m. 
to 4.48 p. m. The rectal and vaginal temperatures were measured at 
the same time with the two thermometers interchanged—that is, the 
one used in figure 7 for the rectum was used here for the vagina, and vice 
versa. At 8.05 a. m. the cow drank 22 kgm. of water at 55 0 F. The 
cow was standing during all observations. At 9 a. m. and 10.12 a. m. 
the readings were taken immediately after defecation. The results are 
given in figure 8. 
The curves show a marked fall in temperature after the watering. 
The vaginal is lower than the rectal curve and runs parallel with it. 
The highest rectal temperature obtained was 101.9 0 F. at 2.45 p. m., 
while the lowest was 100.7° at 9 a. m. The highest vaginal temperature 
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Fio. 8.—Variations in body temperature of cow 885 on December 3, 1919, 8.20 a. m. to 4.48 p. m. At 
8.05 a. m. drank 22 kgm. of water at 55° F.; 9 a. m. immediately after defecating; 10.12 a. m. immediately 
after defecating; cow standing during all observations. 
obtained was 101.5 0 at 2.45 p. m. and 3.30 p. in., while the lowest was 
100.3 at 9 a. m. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DECEMBER 4, I919, WITH COW 885 
Observations on the rectal and vaginal temperatures were made at 
approximately i-hour intervals from 8 a. m. to 11.36 a. m. and from 1.42 
p. m. to 5.30 p. m. The rectal and vaginal temperatures were measured 
at the same time by the two thermometers as on December 3. At 
about 8 a. m. the cow was offered water, but she refused to drink. At 
10.54 a - m * the cow was lying; during all other observations she was 
standing. At 9.12 a. m. and 4.45 p. m. the readings were taken imme¬ 
diately after defecation. From 5 p. m. to 5*3° p* m. the cow was eating. 
The results are represented by figure 9. 
The curves show irregularity for the first three hours but are much 
smoother for the rest of the day. Although meeting each other at the 
very start, the curves soon diverge and the vaginal remains considerably 
lower than the rectal throughout their course. 
