Temperature (Fever).—­A thermometer is necessary in taking the temperature.  They can be bought for from fifty cents up.  The temperature is taken by putting the thermometer under the tongue, in the arm-pit and in the rectum.  For children it should be placed in the rectum or in the arm-pit or groin.  Allow it to remain from two to five minutes.  This depends upon the time limit of the thermometer.  The normal temperature is 98-6/10 degrees F. This varies, some people are normal at times at 99 or 98 degrees.  The temperature in the arm-pit is lower by 3/10 of a degree, but that in the rectum is 1/2 degree higher than that taken in the mouth.  The normal point on the thermometer is marked by an arrow.  The mercury in the tube must always be down to that at its highest point, before the thermometer is placed and the highest point the mercury goes indicates the height of the temperature (fever).  If you take it in the rectum, that should be free from feces.  Oil the thermometer and gently insert it into the bowel for one and one-half inches and hold the stem.

Under the Tongue.—­Place the point under the tongue and instruct the patient to close his lips over the thermometer.  He can also hold the stem with his fingers, It should never be taken here right after a cold drink.  Unconscious patients may bite through the instrument, so care must be taken with them.

Arm-pit.—­Wipe the part thoroughly dry and place the point directly in the arm-pit.  Then place the elbow against the body and the hand on the chest pointing to the opposite shoulder.  When ready to take it out move the arm away from the body and take the thermometer away gently for it sticks sometimes and you will cause pain if you draw it away quickly.  The instrument should be cleansed in tepid mild salt solution.

Pulse.—­Average in men, sixty to seventy.  In women, sixty-five to eighty.  Children ninety to one hundred to one hundred and twenty.  Different authors vary.  In men it is generally seventy to seventy-two.  In women seventy-two to seventy-five.

It is better taken sitting.  It is faster when walking, slower when lying down.  I always take the pulse in the left arm unless there is a deformity there.  I use my right hand with the third finger toward the elbow.  By using the first three fingers you can find out different things about the pulse.  Some people are very nervous and such an one will make your arm ache when feeling the pulse.  The pulse should be regular, even beats, in health.  Sometimes you can feel it best on the temple or on the neck.

Respiration (Breathing).—­In an adult the average is eighteen per minute.  In a child the average is twenty to twenty-four.  Respiration is the act of taking in (inspiration), and giving out (expiration) air by the lungs.

The tongue.—­This is coated in dyspepsia and fevers,—­some healthy persons always have a coated tongue.