Apr. i, 1921 
Observations on the Body Temperature of Dry Cows 
5 
urinated. At 8.25 a. m. the cOw drank 5.2 kgm. of water at 52 0 F. 
During the observations at 10 a. m., 11.15 a. m., and 1.30 p. m. the cow 
was lying; during all others she was standing. The readings at 10.22 
a. m. and 3.32 p. 111. were taken immediately after the animal had 
defecated. The results of these observations are shown in figure 1. 
The curve for the rectum shows a slight fall in temperature between 
8.40 a. m. and 10 a. m., the period following the drinking of the water. 
It then slightly rises and from 10.22 a. m. to 1.30 p. m. forms almost a 
straight line. From 1.30 p. m. to 4.30 p. m. it shows a gradual rise of 
temperature. 
The curve for the vagina is in general lower than that for the rectum. 
It does not show, however, any effect of the water drunk, forming a 
straight line till 10 a. m. and meeting the rectal curve at that time. The 
two curves then diverge to meet again at 1.30 p. m. They then diverge 
again but soon run almost parallel to each other till 4.30 p. m. 
°r. 
/ 026 \ --------- r . 
mo\ _________ 
T3Q 300 9 60 /Q- 3Q //:dO ^ /2:30 /:&0 230 3 'SO 900 330 
“ ' 
Fig. a.—Variations in body temperature of cow 886 on December 2, 1919, 7.40 a. m. to 5.20 p. m. At 7.40 
a. m. standing; 8.00 a. m. drank 13.0 kgm. of water at 48° F.; 8.20 a. m. lying; 9.00 a. m standing and 
immediately after defecating; 9.35 a. m. to 10.35 a* m. lying; 2.57 p. m. standing; 3.55 p. m. lying down 
with thermometers inserted; 4.35 p. m. immediately after defecating; 5 p. m. to 5.20 p. m. eating. 
The highest rectal temperature obtained was 102.2° F. at 4.30 p. m., 
while the lowest was iox .6° at 10 a. m. The highest vaginal temperature 
obtained was 101.9 0 at 4.30 p. m., while the lowest was 101.5 0 at 10.22 
a. m. and 11.15 a. m. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DECEMBER 2, 1919, WITH COW 886 
Readings of the rectal and vaginal temperatures were taken at approxi¬ 
mately i-hour intervals from 7.40 a. m. to 11.35 a. m. and from 1.50 to 
5.20 p. m. The rectal and vaginal temperatures were measured at the 
same time by the two thermometers. At 8 a. m. the cow drank 13 kgm. 
of water at 48° F. During the observations at 8.20 a. m., 9.35 a. m., and 
10.35 a. m. the cow was lying; at 3.55 p. m. the cow lay down with the 
thermometers inserted. The cow was up during all the other readings. 
At 9 a. m. and at 4.35 p. m. the readings were taken immediately after 
defecation. The cow was fed at 5 p. m., and at the end of the observa¬ 
tions—that is, at 5.20 p. m.—she was still eating. The results are given 
in figure 2. 
