THERMOMETRY OF THE DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 
239 
To ascertain the degree of heat still more exactly in two 
different parts of the external integument, also in the deep tissues 
of the body, the thermo-electrical apparatus is made use of; but 
as this, as well as the thermograph, are only used for continuous 
observations, we shall not notice them in this paper. 
The temperature of our domesticated animals is generally 
obtained by placing the thermometer six or eight inches in the 
rectum, and in complete contact with its walls ; it should be left 
in this situation for about ten minutes, after which it may be 
read by partially removing it, and then replaced for another two 
minutes and again read ; and if the mercury has remained 
stationery, we may receive it as the correct temperature. In 
order to attain the limit as quick as possible, the thermometer 
should be brought to the normal temperature of the body, by 
rubbing the bulb with a cloth, or by placing it in warm water, or 
carefully holding it over a light, before its introduction into the 
, rectum. A false result may be obtained by the rectum being 
filled with excrement. Again, according to Billroth, the intro¬ 
duction of the instrument itself may cause the intestine to contract 
and thus produce a change of temperature. 
The vagina has been recommended as a convenient place for 
the introduction of the thermometer in the female, but as this is 
about 0.2° to 0.5° and (according to Gerlach) even a whole degree 
colder than the rectum, from the fact that the cold air can more 
readily pass into this cavity than into the rectum ; on the other 
hand, there are times when the temperature of the vagina is 
about 0.1° to 0.3° above that of the rectum (Brusaseo, Rueff, 
Anacker), such as during the last days of pregnancy, due to the 
presence of the foetus ; also for some time after birth, and also 
at the time of sexual desire, which is called “ heat.” 
On account of the variations of the temperature in different 
situations of the body, it is advisable that we should adopt one 
recognized place in order to obtain unison in the results. For 
this reason all practitioners should apply the thermometer in the 
same situation of the body , the rectum being almost generally 
adopted for the domesticated animals , the same as the arm-pit is 
used by observers in human medicine. 
