Care and feeding of infants and children : a textbook for trained nurses / by Walter Reeve Ramsey ; including suggestions on nursing, by Margaret B. Lettice.

  • Ramsey, Walter Reeve, 1872-
Date:
[1920], ©1920
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Care and feeding of infants and children : a textbook for trained nurses / by Walter Reeve Ramsey ; including suggestions on nursing, by Margaret B. Lettice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    80/320 (page 58)
    CHAPTER Vii TEMPERATURE THE normal temperature of an infant, as of an adult, is 9873° I’. There are slight variations from this temperature within the normal, either above or below. A transient variation of % degree either above or below this point usually has no significance. During the first week not infrequently infants develop a tem- perature of several degrees without any apparent cause, and frequently without any serious significance, as it often reaches the normal again within a few hours. It is probable that the lack of fluid and the introduction of food and bacteria into the intestinal tract may temporarily interfere with the heat centres, resulting in an increased production or a diminished dissipation, or both combined. The proper place to take the temperature is the rectum (Fig. 23). Temperatures taken in the groin, or under the arm, are inaccurate, and if the skin is moist the ther- mometer will not register. Before taking the temperature care should be taken to shake the thermometer down below normal. It should then be anointed with vaseline and inserted into the rectum beyond the mercury bulb. The time necessary to take the temperature will vary with the make of the thermometer (2-5 minutes). Great care must be taken that with a struggling child the thermometer is not broken in the rectum, thereby producing possible serious injury.