Bulbs & colored tops

When I was three years old I had a surgery. My rectal temperature was taken twice as a I remember. The thermometer was in a red holder. At the one end it had a triangle end that was marked red. It also said rectal on it. The other end was a silver pear shaped end.

I have never heard that before. I thought a thermometer is a thermometer for oral and rectal.

I have never heard that before. I thought a thermometer is a thermometer for oral and rectal.

I was always under the impression that the slim ones were for oral and stubby were for rectal. I think either would work but if inserted at an angle with the slim one you might risk a perforation which would be bad news indeed. I think most say on them what they are for.

Usually red is rectal and blue is oral. There also is a difference in the bulb rectal ones tend to be more round and stubby.

Vintage glass thermometers for home use usually had a narrow tip for under the tongue and a thicker bulb for rectal. We still have both types, including a Taylor "instanta rectal" that's just as accurate today as when it was new.

For years, the rectal thermometer had a pear-shaped, or rounded bulb, and oral had a long and slender bulb. Later additions included a red or blue marking on the case or the top of the thermometer. During the 90's, all glass thermometers had the elongated, slender bulb, regardless of type, and then were promptly removed from store shelves entirely.( Yes, I believe that rectal thermometers may have been intentionally phased out). It was also the time that the medical community endorsed the PC campaign, that branded rectal temps. as "abusive and inappropriate," for children over 3. For any of you who received a lecture from a physician, you will understand what I'm referring to.

I'll never forget the red topped glass rectal thermometer at the doctors office. I have one still to this day.

I bet that vintage Taylor feels wonderful.

Vintage glass thermometers for home use usually had a narrow tip for under the tongue and a thicker bulb for rectal. We still have both types, including a Taylor "instanta rectal" that's just as accurate today as when it was new.

Did your dr's office have the little holders on the counter too? Mine did red was the rectal one and blue was oral.

I'll never forget the red topped glass rectal thermometer at the doctors office. I have one still to this day.

You actually remember that from age 3???

There was a Taylor instanta Rochester NY in our medicine cabinet when I was a kid. The case was sort of flesh colored with a baby blue cap. I don’t recall having my temp taken with it by mom, but did of course play with it on the sneak. Pass the Vaseline! As my parents aged, I figured I’d just take it some day when I visited, as they both slowly developed dementia. Much to my horror, a few years before mom passed away it was suddenly gone. I could tell the care giver had house cleaned the medicine cabinet. I’ve looked a few times on eBay recently, but haven’t seen a duplicate. If any member has one they’d part with, I’d trade a vintage Bakelite curved douche nozzle for it, or perhaps something else from my collection. Cheers! Or shall I say “bottoms up!”.

An yet even to this day when a true accurate reading is needed most hospitals do it rectally go figure.

For years, the rectal thermometer had a pear-shaped, or rounded bulb, and oral had a long and slender bulb. Later additions included a red or blue marking on the case or the top of the thermometer. During the 90's, all glass thermometers had the elongated, slender bulb, regardless of type, and then were promptly removed from store shelves entirely.( Yes, I believe that rectal thermometers may have been intentionally phased out). It was also the time that the medical community endorsed the PC campaign, that branded rectal temps. as "abusive and inappropriate," for children over 3. For any of you who received a lecture from a physician, you will understand what I'm referring to.

For years, the rectal thermometer had a pear-shaped, or rounded bulb, and oral had a long and slender bulb. Later additions included a red or blue marking on the case or the top of the thermometer. During the 90's, all glass thermometers had the elongated, slender bulb, regardless of type, and then were promptly removed from store shelves entirely.( Yes, I believe that rectal thermometers may have been intentionally phased out).

They were phased out for 2 reasons. Number one would be that they had mercury in them and number two would be that the current medical culture does not believe in invasive procedures if they can be avoided. Additionally those old thermometers also took 5 minutes when you can stick one in an ear and get a reading in 5 seconds. Time is money and the more patients you can see the more money you will make. I have a thermometer gun that I can point at a steaming solution and it gives me an accurate temp via laser from 10 feet away. Times they are a changing.