Which is the Best Rectal Thermometer ?

There's one author here, who's comments really irk me. I'll have enough tact not to mention their posting name, but they seem to have the misconception that kids with ADHD are not capable of having an oral temp. taken. Bull%%%!!. Here is a classic example of someone touting themselves as informed, who probably also believes that the world is still flat, and the night air is bad for you !! It is an insult to the many folks in the ADHD population, who have never had an issue with normal functioning. I was born with the disorder, graduated from college, and am a professional engineer. ADHD interferes with learning, in a manner in which it creates distractions, thus making it difficult to absorb information in an organized fashion. It has no connection with intellect. It is not a mental deficit, nor is it a form of autism, psychosis, etc. You need to get your facts straight, and stop reading the National Enquirer, or similar junk. Your post speaks volumes of your ignorance, and distortions, and it is an insult. I have seen your misinformation posted on other sites as well. Sorry for my diatribe, but I can't handle this kind of nonsense !!

I'd have to say an extra large double-thick standard glass mercury pear shaped thermometer with RECTAL on the side and a RED tip at the end.

Of course the pear-shaped bulb glass thermometer with the red tip is the perfect selection. Hard to find them,(without paying a mint). But I agree with many here on this post that Tractor Supply or any veterinary supply company would have the closest thing possible on their shelves, or online. I haven't tried the "candy thermometer" choice. Seems that glass is really thin, but it does withstand the intense heat of the cooking. Might be something else to check out.

EBay remains an excellent source for old mercury therms....and at generally reasonable prices.

A glass stubby bulb thermometer with red tip end.

Try a vintage darkroom thermometer like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kodak-Deluxe-Darkroom-Thermometer-F-Scale-Cat-112-2167-/171258145103

These are long, have a nice thickness, and are very rugged as they were often used to stir solutions while measuring the temperature.

If you try using a thermometer that wasn't designed for use in humans or animals, you might want be taking a huge risk. How thick is the glass, and consider the consequences of having it shatter or break off inside of you. I think that the "perfect," or best thermometer, is one of the vintage styles, with a large, pear-shaped bulb. I came across a few at a flea market a few years ago, and bought them. They aren't easy to find, and the ebay prices are in the range of between $30-50 dollars. For that kind of cash, you'd be better off using something like anal beads, which if used properly, work wonders, and are safe. Sometimes it's a better alternative.

Mercury or digital ?

Mercury does not need a battery.

But I have heard that mercury is dangerous... I have 2 digital and a mercury and I'm afraid to use it

As long as the mercury stays in the thermometer no problem. The only danger is if it's vaporized. Believe it or not mercury used to be used to relieve bowel obstructions. It was swallowed. Now it's used to weigh down nasogastric tubes which can be used to relieve obstruction.

Mercury used to instilled into the urethra and bladder to treat gonorrhea.

When I was a kid (1950s) I bought some liquid mercury to play with. Pharmacies sold it. Held it in my hand. At that time there was little appreciation for the danger. The more cynical of you would say the damage has been done. I would not do that again certainly but there is minimal danger from liquid, elemental mercury. Later I procured some again when I was pretending to be a gold miner on the American River. No luck there, BTW. However, the inorganic salts of mercury are lethal. When I worked as a chemist for the State of Oregon (working my way thru medical school) we only handled it with gloves. And the organic compounds are also bad news. If memory serves, they were most associated with more chronic poisoning with neurodegenerative symptoms (minamata disease). Anyway, I'm no chemist (my employment history notwithstanding) or toxicologist but liquid elemental mercury found is clinical thermometers presents a very minimal hazard, even if swallowed.

Glass thermometers no longer use mercury (at least in France and US), and haven't used it for a looooong time. Current glass thermometers use some kind of alloy of gallium I think. The liquid column inside is blueish (or reddish perhaps in some models); I think mercury thermometers had a silvery column (but I have not seen any for 25 years).

Mercury vapors are toxic, and also liquid mercury is a pain to collect on the floor if the thermometer is broken. Mercury makes small drops, like little balls, that do not stick to anything and aren't absorbed by cloth or paper napkins. If you try to wipe a drop it breaks into smaller drops.

Now to go back to the original question: if you are sick and want a quick measurement, electronic is best, you don't have to shake it and wait for several minutes for it to register. Plus, the flexible tip is nice.

If it's for play, glass gives you an excuse to leave it longer, but make sure it's properly lubricated if not used by the patient - it's possible to injure the rectum or at least to make insertion unpleasant otherwise.

I only use my old glass mercury filled thermometers. I keep one of them and a small jar of petroleum jelly in my night table by my bed.

All findings that I've read, warn about the toxic dangers of mercury, mainly as a neurotoxin. If you own a mercury glass thermometer, as I do, just handle it carefully. Digital and galistan eliminate those worries. I prefer the old glass thermometers for accuracy and reliability. They also bring back warm memories.

JJM, elemental Mercury as found in thermometers is not toxic. Mercury compounds are, as is mercury vapor which is found in all of those compact fluorescent lights we are being forced to use instead of incandescent lights , which contain no toxins.

I like the old fashioned thermometer rather than a digit one .

I'd say a mercury thermometer, but I use a digital one

I like mercury but I also use a digital one and I also have a Kinsa smart thermometer.

I like the glass one but we own a digital, a couple glass ones and also she just bought a anal probe thermometer like the ones they use at hospital with blue and red tips....should be here sometime next week as she bought it from a medical fetish site she buys from that is out of country but she loves.

A glass Mercury thermometer.

I think the best thermometer for a RT is a digital thermometer. But I like the glass thermometers, too.

Traditional glass mercury for sure!! Doesn't need batteries, and is considerably more comfortable then a digital thermometer.

I like to collect them all. When I get bored with one I switch to a different one and start exploring with it on my play patients during exams. Right now I am using the wall mounted Idec digital rectal with the spiral cord. I press a pre-lubricated sheath from the back of the base unit on the probe and slip it up her bottom. Definitely a larger diameter than a traditional glass mercury rectal thermometer.

In terms of hot, mercury is def. hotter as it is more nostalgic, but digital are more safe.

I was going to ask similar question. I like stories where they say a large thermometer. Do they really exist?

Mercury btw.

Veterinarian thermometers.

More naughty "finger" or "erected" thermometer who are more sensual and erotic than real thermometers 😳

As I'm sure I have posted before I have a few of the old mercury filled glass thermometers. They are the only ones I use. I keep one of them and a small jar of Vaseline in my bedside table drawer.