Mercury thermometer - a faithful and indispensable assistant

Liquid thermometers were invented long ago and may well be called "rare". Now there are many infrared and electronic devices that can measure temperature, but in the modern world there are fans of this simple, morally obsolete, but at the same time extremely reliable measuring device, whose name is a mercury thermometer ...

This indispensable tool of any therapist works year after year for the benefit of our health. And it, as it is not a pity, knows how to fail us at the most inopportune moment. That's at this time in the arena and our hero comes out. We will tell a few words about him and about his closest contemporary brethren.

Mercury thermometer

A fairly accurate and simple device for measuring body temperature. It is a hermetically sealed glass flask with a capillary containing mercury. It has an interesting feature - the maximum heating is marked by a mercury column, which by itself does not come down. For this and got its name "maximum". To "zero" it is necessary several times to vigorously shake his bulb down. Mercury thermometer is deservedly respected due to high accuracy (up to 0.1 degree) measurement, a wide range of uses and unlimited lifetime (under the right operating conditions). Also stands out for its low cost and easy disinfection. The shortcomings include fairly high brittleness and the duration of the measurement in time. And since poisonous mercury is used as an indicator of temperature, what does it mean in a complex with high fragility, it is not necessary to explain. At this point the mercury thermometer is inferior to modern analogues.

Electronic thermometer

Uses a sensitive sensor, which determines the body temperature. Very easy to use. The result appears on the display in a fairly short period of time. Typically, the instrument performs measurements in a wide variety of temperature scales, but it has a fairly capricious mechanism and, in the case of inexpensive models, it is difficult to disinfect. Batteries require replacement, and the device itself does not have the lowest price.

Infrared thermometer

Uses the principle of analyzing the infrared radiation of a human body, the result of which is displayed on the display in the usual format. It has all the advantages of an electronic thermometer, but the speed of detection is much higher and there is the possibility of non-contact application. The latter possibility is quite valuable when it comes to children or sleeping patients. At the same time, it has a number of shortcomings that can not be ignored:

• High error;
• Inability to measure in certain places;
• Regular checking is required;
• Inaccuracies in ear infections or emotional outbursts;
• high price.

If the usual mercury thermometer you can buy at any pharmacy, then the electronic is better to buy in specialized stores. This will allow you to get the quality that you expect from a similar device.