Temperature Taking.

It is almost a necessity that every person who is likely to do any home nursing shall be able to use a clinical thermometer. In the case of adults the temperature is usually taken in the mouth. With children it may be taken page 58 under the arm or in the groin, the bulb being held closely to the body. It is necessary to leave the thermometer for a longer time than when it is inserted in the mouth. Some thermometers are marked “1/2 minute,” others “1 minute.” If there are no markings, the thermometer must be left in position for at least three minutes. A mouth temperature should not be taken within ten minutes of the time that the patient has had anything hot or cold in the mouth.

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The first temperature should be taken before the early morning drink is given, and the evening one before the bed-time sponge. After taking a temperature, read the thermometer, and make a note of it. The thermometer should then be washed with cold water and dried. When the temperature is being taken frequently, or in infectious cases, the thermometer should be kept standing in a glass containing a weak solution of disinfectant. A small piece of cotton-wool should be placed in the bottom. Stand the glass on a small plate, and have a piece of dry cotton-wool to wipe the thermometer before using it again. When the temperature has to be taken several times during the day a record should be kept, either on a chart (which can be bought at any chemist's) or on a piece of paper. Make a note of the temperature and the time it was taken. Never rely on your memory.