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".