Author:
Daniel
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Date Posted: Sunday, October 30, 2016, 08:39: pm
" But I do recall having a rectal temperature taken many times. "
Rectal temps were very common inn the late '40s, 1950s and early '60s after which they nbegan to use some digital thingys and after 1970, I don't recall rectals by doctors, although it might have happened.
Always the first thing was an oral thermometer, flashlight in the ears and down the throat, pants or PJs and undies tugged down and off for stomach palpitations, sometime a hernia check and then rolling onto the belly for a rectal as internal body temp was considered much more accurate.
At home that was somewhat private at least although I remember my cousin's hand on my bare heiney holding the tube in place while Doctor Emory washed his hands and prepared an injection.
Usually once a year there would be an epidemic of, I guess, influenza and the Doctor would have those who could, come to the office where he sometimes had five of six kids stand in a line, mommies nearby, while he went from one to another, doing the checks and giving shots in the bare heineys. Usually the group was siblings and cousins or neighbors who shared a ride from home. Not much allowance for privacy was made, especially for boys.
If a rectal temp was used we would stand near a low gurney and lean on it and someone would hold the thermometer in the heiney. But that was when there were many patients that there was a line to get into the office.
I am quite sure one year as soon as we got the injection we were sent out to the desk where a nurse would use an alcohol swab or perhaps some mercurochrome and a piece of tape was attached. them my mom would sort my clothes from my sister's and brother's as well as at least one cousin's so we could put pants on right in front of the next group of patients and their moms or sisters.
I know that most f us would cry or at east sob because we'd tease one another as to who was the biggest baby in the dr's office.
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