Childcare books about rectal temperature taking

Do you know any old book about rectal temperature taking, maybe one which advise that to use this method even on older child/teen?

The second thing, did you have this kind of book at home, which your mom used to learn about rectal temperature measurment?

Growing up, my mother had this book from the mid-1970s entitled "The Mother's Almanac." It had a section on rectal-temperature taking. I don't recall all the details, but it said something to the effect that even a one-year-old can feel the "indignity" of having a thermometer stuck in his bottom and that you should put on the radio to distract him. I also remember that it had a section on spanking, and argued at one point for the occasional need for a "pantsdowner."

I have a medical textbook, from the late 70’s and early 80’s. There was a section on pediatric examination, and under temperature taking, it said that with pediatric patients, virtually all temperatures should be taken rectally. It went on to say that reliable oral temperatures are often difficult to obtain, even in a child over the age of 10.

My mom was a nurse and had old nursing books in her headboard. I would say they were 1940s era. It had a section on rectal temps and also one on enemas. It showed a doctor demonstrating an enema on what I assumed was a nursing student. I had dreams about that picture! These books weren't specifically for children but covered those bases as well.

I remember two stories.

First is a German one. A maybe 10yo (?) visited a swimming park. He froze and had blue lips but he continued playing in the water. In the evening he was reported looking pale and had no appetite. So his mother decided to take his temperature. He should lay down at the couch and roll to his side. His trousers were put down and a thermometer inserted in his bum. In the story was said that he barely felt it. He had a fever and later on he had to go to the doctor to get further examination and medication.

Second is a Turkish one. A 12yo I guess suffered from stomach pain and vomiting, at the end he had an appendicitis. When his mom took his temperature at home, he was reported as anxious, but let the thermometer put in his bum. Later at the pediatrician and in hospital he already knew that taking his temperature is not painful. Even getting suppositories was explained in a harmless way. The boy got surgery and recovered fast.

Unfortunately I only remember fragments of both stories, but I don't remember the name of these books anymore ...

We have to look at a time when the glass (mercury-fill) thermometer was used exclusively to take a temperature. In the literature, although there was a variation of opinion as to at what age a youngster could be depended on to responsibly manage a glass oral thermometer placed in the mouth, six years old seems to be the magic age. It seems that standard, would be not be universally applicable in this age if there were no no alternative to the glass thermometer, considering that in the last quarter century or so, starting out with a small portion of youngsters, but increasing steadily over the years, developmental issues have surfaced such as i ADHD, ADD, Asperger's syndrome, etc., which would have led to a concern over a risk of failure to keep a glass oral thermometer intact while placed in such a youngster's the mouth. This has never been a concern considering the deployment of the various types of electronic thermometers which have largely replacing the glass thermometer. Even with intellectual deficits, which has always existed but the level of severity can vary from one youngster to another, but at a time when there was no acceptable alternative tot he glass thermometer, it is hard to recall if this issue has been openly addressed in the literature, but I am sure each doctors office had its own policy extending the age at which a less functional youngster would be required to submit to having a temperature taken rectally with a glass rectal thermometer which in all likelihood the parent would follow at home.

Mom had the doctor Spock book it had a section on rectal temperature taking it was very interesting when I first discovered I liked rectal temperatures etc.

My mom had Doctor Spock's book I enjoyed looking at the rectal temperature section.

While browsing Google Books for the mentioned dr. Spock's book, I also came across publications of the 'Fraternity of Enema Buddies'. Sounds intriguing, no example pages available. Do we have anyone here that was in said fraternity?

Steven D:

Did you notice in the Dr. Spock book that the thermometer had an odd cap on the non-bulb end. I always wondered about that thermometer picture.

Kenw:

Yes I did notice the thermometer in Dr. Spock's book I also wonder about that thermometer in the picture.

I actually have one like that in my collection

It is very old and screws into,a metal holder. The end is actually threaded so that it will screw in place. It's a bit odd. Not a problem if used on a baby or toddler, but it's not entirely comfortable for an adult.

There is a German pediatric photo book for kids published in the early 1980s that shows a temp taking. It's title translates to "I am a Doctor".

While most only recommended taking rectal temperatures until some where in the five to ten age range, there were a small number that advocated rectal temperatures for children of all ages. I pulled these books from the internet archive library.

Dr. Shiller was a pediatrician who was a strong promoter of rectal temperature for children of all ages. I wish that he had been my doctor growing up or that he had been more influential.

Here is an excerpt from his book.

Childhood illness; a common sense approach

by Shiller, Jack G

Publication date 1972

Page 32

“How and Where to Tale the Temperature

Generally speaking, I am for taking rectal temperatures most of the time. The rectal method is fast and accurate. The armpit method is less reliable, and the oral method is usually worthless for a child under eight years old. Most children whose temperatures need taking have upper respiratory infections. They can’t breathe through their noses. They keep their mouths open, and the oral reading is worthless.”

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This book from 1971, dismisses underarm, oral, and back of the hand methods and promotes rectal temperatures. It goes on to only give directions for taking rectal temperatures.

How to understand and treat your child's symptoms

by Henderson, Neil C.

Publication date 1971

Page 282

“Taking the temperature under the arm is unsatisfactory since it is not accurate enough. Feeling is the child is hot leaves too much room for error. Oral temperatures are difficult because children will not cooperate. Rectal temperatures are the best and most accurate. I explain how to take the temperature and read the thermometer under the heading "Thermometer -- Rectal".”

Page 285

“In an older child, the temperature may be easily taken when he is lying on his side and his knees are drawn up a little. It is too difficult to find the rectum when he is lying flat on his stomach.”

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This book from 1995 recommends rectal temperatures as the most reliable at any age. It reluctantly says that oral temperatures may be OK, if not a good, and says to avoid the under the arm method.

Caring for your child : a medical guide

Publication date 1995

Page 52

“For the most reliable readings at any age, the rectal thermometer is recommended, although it takes a little longer for the temperature to register.”

(skipping to the discussion of other methods)

“Although it is less reliable, an oral temperature reading is sufficient and can be taken in a child who is old enough to hold the bulb of the thermometer under the tongue with the mouth closed for three minutes. (If the thermometer breaks and the child accidentally swallows the mercury in the thermometer, don’t worry. Thermometers contain elemental mercury, which is a nonpoisonous and harmless form of the metal. Just be sure to remove any pieces of broken glass.) Axillary temperatures (taken by putting a thermometer in the child’s armpit) are very unreliable and shouldn't be used.”

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This one from 1979 promotes rectal as the best method.

530 vital questions every mother asks about her child's health

by Ong, Beale H

Publication date 1979

page 113

“Are three ways to take the temperature?

Oral (by mouth)—should not be attempted in the young or uncooperative child since he may bite down on the thermometer. The thermometer should be kept in the mouth a full three minutes to be accurate and therefore taking oral temperature is difficult in most children under eight years of age.

Axillary (under the arm)—an inaccurate and difficult method since the thermometer must be kept in place a full five minutes, which is no easy matter with a sick child.

Rectal—the best method and certainly the most accurate. Three minutes are required for an accurate reading.”

“In an older child, the temperature may be easily taken when he is lying on his side and his knees are drawn up a little. It is too difficult to find the rectum when he is lying flat on his stomach.”

That's hilarious. Man, that Henderson guy must have gotten lost in his own home many times and he must have had the hardest of times doing the most simple of tasks at times. Locating the "rectum" isn't as difficult as finding, say, the pituitary gland. 😁

Growing up I was fascinated with medical books. Especially those relating to child care. I was a bed wetter and wanted to learn as much as I could about that and other things. Rectal temperatures and exams below the waist were of interest to me. Especially after going through some of the same.

I did learn very well, how to do research in a library. Now the library is in everyone's home. lol

We had a collection of books at home, maybe 10 volumes or so, that had stories and whatnot. The last volume was on infant/child care. I don't remember if it specifically recommended rectal temps, but it did have information on them. I definitely perused that volume a lot!

Here are a few more that I found mostly via the internet archive book collection. They are more general home or family health care books.

There is the “The complete home medical encyclopedia” by Dr. Harold Thomas Hyman from 1993. He promotes rectal temperatures for children (and adults) of all ages and disparages oral and underarm temperatures as unreliable.

In this section he is suggesting getting a base line set of temperatures so that you know how their temperatures normally vary:

Page 320

"Some day when all is quiet in your sector and your youngsters are feeling fit and amiable, plan to take rectal readings at 8 a.m., noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m."

"Do not be bullied into taking mouth readings, which are about a degree lower and more apt to be inaccurate (accidental or deliberate separation of the lips, etc.)"

"Do note let your Continental friends persuade you that it's more elegant to take readings in the armpit. These are more prone to error than mouth readings."

Though out the book he refers to using rectal temperatures.

Page 210

There is a vast difference between "feeling chilly" and experiencing a true chill or rigor. Nevertheless, it is wise to take the rectal temperature of any person who complains of chilliness and to repeat the reading if the complaint persists.

Page 228

Do not continue unsupervised home treatment if rectal temperature rises beyond 101° F.

Page 254

But, if cough persists or recurs, record your rectal temperature for 24 hours; collect a sputum specimen; and see your doctor.

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The 1979 “Symptoms : the complete home medical encyclopedia” suggests that

“Oral readings are unreliable in children and those who breathe primarily through the mouth.”

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The 2000 “Complete home guide to medical illnesses : 2100 diseases described and explained” by Warwick Carter discusses taking temperatures for suspected hypothermia:

Page 265

INVESTIGATIONS: Measuring the temperature using a rectal (through the anus) thermometer. The skin temperature and mouth temperature are often inaccurate.

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Finally we have the 2021 “Please Just Take a Rectal Temperature: Facts, Tricks, and Skills to Make Parenting Easier” by Stewart Tatem MD that is on Amazon. In it he he discourages parents from using new technologies instead of a simple digital oral / rectal thermometer.

Quotes taken from the introduction section:

“Take the title of this book for example. I can’t tell your how many parents come into my office with a sick baby saying something like this”

“I used one of those ear/forehead/pacifier thermometers, but I don’t know if it’s accurate of if I am using it right."

They are using that thermometer because it is easy, howecer these devices will give incorrect readings if not used properly …..

A cheap, simple, digital recal thermometer easily gives accurate information.

It’s not hard to take a rectal temperature. It doesn’t hurt. It’s not “violating” them. As one of my colleagues says, "" The stool that comes out is wider than the probe for the thermometer. What's the big deal?"

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I have some quotes from nursing manuals from the 50s through the 70s that I am collecting for a later post. I am not sure if they should be in a separate thread.

Here are a few more I pulled from the Internet Archive before it went down.

The 1957 “A Parents' Guide to Children's Illness” by John Henderson, MD is very clear on it’s support of rectal temperatures. From page 304:

"Except in mildly ill cases, it is better to take the child’s temperature by rectum unless the doctor orders otherwise.”

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A lot of books seem to copy from one another. “Your Child a Medical Guide” by ira j. chasnoff (1983), “Your child : a medical guide : the illustrated medical & health adviser” (1987), and “Caring For Your Child--A Medical Guide” (1997) all included the following:

“For the most reliable readings at any age, the rectal thermometer is recommended, although it takes a little longer for the temperature to register.”

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“The Parenting advisor” by Caplan, Frank; Princeton Center for Infancy and Early Childhood (197😎 seems to suggest only using rectal temperatures.

From pages 173 – 174:

“Most pediatricians recommend taking rectal temperatures for children under eight because the armpit method is less reliable. The oral method accomplishes little since most children have upper respiratory infections and their noses are stuffed. This forces them to breath through their mouths and makes the oral reading unreliable.”

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“Taking care of your child : a parents' guide to medical care” by Robert H. Pantell from 1977 ( with several additions as late as 2009) has to have the most unusual reason to prefer rectal.

From page 301:

“Rectal temperatures are usually more accurate and are about 0.5°F higher than oral temperatures. Oral temperature can be affected by hot or cold foods, routine breathing, and smoking.”

I used to look at the family medical encyclopedias, Spock, and mom's "baby book" (which had actual photographs) for rectal temp instructions, which I found fascinating. Only place I ever found cold cream suggested as a lube.