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SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
Place the thermometer with bulb under tongue. Lips 
must be closed while holding it. 
Hold two or three minutes, in this position. 
Be sure that nothing hot or cold has been in the mouth 
for at least five minutes before taking temperature. 
To Take Temperature in the Armpits 
Wipe out armpit. 
Insert the thermometer. 
Place arm across the chest so that the thermometer is 
held securely. It should remain so for four or five 
minutes. 
Pulse 
The pulse may be counted on the thumb side of the 
inside of the wrist, at the temples, the ankles, and other 
parts of the body where the arteries are near the surface. 
The pulse shows the number of times oer minute which 
the heart beats or pumps. 
A normal pulse for a man is around 72, for a woman 
80, for a child 90, and for a baby 100 degrees. 
A very rapid or a very slow pulse shows that there is 
“ something wrong that should be reported. It takes a 
good deal of practice to learn to count the pulse. 
Place two or three fingers on the beating artery, just 
touching firmly enough to feel the beats, and count for 
a half minute, then multiply by two to find the number 
of beats per minute. Be sure that the patient’s hand is 
in a comfortable position while counting. 
Respiration 
Respiration is another word for breathing. An aver- 
age formal person when sitting or lying still, breathes 
from twelve to twenty times per minute, and when mov- 
ing about 24 times. We all know that quick moving 
makes quick breathing. 
Respiration above 40 or below 8 is a danger sign. If 
