SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
233 
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration 
The temperature of the average person in health is 
98.6° Fahrenheit. This is called the normal temperature. 
A temperature below 98.0 degrees is said to be sub- 
normal. A healthy person may have a sub-normal tem- 
perature in the early morning. People with a continuous 
low temperature, say around 97 (this is often the case 
with old people and those who are recovering from ill- 
ness) need careful attention. If in bed, they should be 
kept warmly covered and supplied with hot water bags. 
If up, they should be warmly clothed, and protected 
from drafts, and sudden changes of temperature. 
Usually, in the early morning before daylight, the tem- 
perature is at the lowest. That is why it is important to 
watch sick people and babies and to put an extra cover 
over them at that time. 
Any temperature above 100 degrees, if it continues, is 
serious. A temperature above 101 degrees is a fairly 
high one, and 103 degrees or above is very high. 
The temperature is taken with a clinical thermometer 
placed in the mouth or in the armpit. For babies, and 
people who might break the thermometer if it were 
placed in the mouth, place the thermometer in the armpit. 
Temperatures of babies and very ill people are taken in 
rectum, but the Girl Scout should not attempt this. Al- 
ways wash the thermometer in cold water before using. 
Wash in cold water and disinfect by wiping off with alco- 
hol after using. Hot water will break it. When the 
thermometer is being used every day it may be kept in 
disinfectant. Never lay down a thermometer that has 
been used until after it has been washed and disinfected. 
To Take the Temperature in the Mouth 
Cleanse the thermometer. 
Shake down so that the mercury is below 96 degrees. 
Have patient moisten lips. 
