What are the thermometers without mercury
Degrees without mercury are now widely used both in domestic conditions and in medical institutions. They gradually replace mercury thermometers, which have an increased degree of toxicity, and as a result, damage to the protective shell can harm human health. Such a medical device is available in every home. Its use helps to determine the deviation of body temperature from normal, which is a symptom of the onset of the disease.
Temperature measurement
The history of the appearance of thermometers goes back to the distant past. The invention is attributed to the famous scientist Galileo. He himself in his notes left no mention of such a device, but his students and contemporaries confirm the creation of a thermobaroscope. The development of the thermometer can be seen from the following chronology of events:
- 1597 - the invention of an invention called "thermobaroscope".It was a glass tube of a small diameter with a ball that was soldered into its middle.
- 1657 - adding to the thermobaroscope an improvised scale and creating a vacuum within it. This was done by Florentine scientists.
- 1667 - the first mention of similar devices.
- 1703 - the air thermometer was improved by the French scientist Amonton.
- 1723 - thermometers appeared, the shape of which resembled the modern one. He succeeded in Fahrenheit, he opened the world the opportunity to fill the device with mercury. On the scale of the invention, there were three main temperature points.
- 1742 - Anders Celsius defined the two temperature limits used to this day. This is the temperature of melting ice( 0 degrees Celsius) and boiling water( 100 degrees Celsius).
Attempts to create the perfect thermometer were set. For example, Lord Bacon, Robert Fludd and several other scientists in cooperation with them spoke out about the primacy of the invention of an air thermometer. Also known Santorio, a scientist from Italy, who was able to make a device designed to measure the temperature of a person's body. The only drawback was too large parameters. It is impossible not to note the thermometer Kelvin, which has a wide application in the scientific field.
To date, there are many varieties of thermometers. They are used not only for medical purposes, but also in industry and everyday life. With the help of such instruments, you can also measure the temperature of water or air.
Advantages and disadvantages of mercury thermometers
Such a device is a tube of small diameter, at the end of which there is a reservoir with mercury. All this is sealed in an impenetrable shell, protecting from penetration of a toxic substance into the environment.
The advantages of mercury temperature meters include:
- ease of use;
- operating time;
- ubiquity of application( temperature determination by oral, rectal, axillary or inguinal area);
- high precision;
- reasonable price;
- simple disinfection.
When using such devices it is necessary to remember that they can not be applied to mechanical influence, including disinfection by boiling, as they are very fragile. The mercury device can not be classified as a "safe thermometer" because of the toxicity of its contents, which makes this type of thermometer the most demanding for operating conditions. Dispose of these grades as "special waste", while at the same time providing protection for the hands and ventilating the room.
Temperature measurement by mercury thermometers takes quite a long time, this takes about 10 minutes. Consequently, such a thermometer for children, whose age does not allow them to explain the need to sit quietly, is not very suitable.
What are thermometers without mercury
Thermometers for measuring body temperature can be different. The most common option is alcohol. Outwardly, they are similar to mercury, the only difference being the color of the contents of the tank. Mercury is silvery, and alcohol is colored with red dyes.
There are electronic and infrared thermometers;Also it is necessary to note such a variant, as a thermometer for young children, made in the form of a nipple.
Electronic thermometers
Such thermometers without mercury appeared on drugstores recently. Such devices operate due to the presence of a special sensor in them. Models of this type can vary depending on the set of functions( impermeable housing, sound signals, memory, fixing the data of several recent measurements, and the presence of sterile caps).
Non-mercury thermometer has the following advantages:
- safety;
- fast measurement;
- with different variations of exterior design;
- presence of the display;
- reasonable price;
- wide model range.
Other features and functions depend on the configuration of the individual device and its cost.
Among the shortcomings can be noted a certain percentage of the error, which varies depending on the place of application, and the need after the sound signal to hold the mercury-free thermometer under the arm for some time. For example, children do not have such patience. We should not forget about regular battery replacement. If they are not at hand - the device can "sit down" at the most inopportune moment.
Modern alcohol thermometers
Non-mercury thermometers, included in this category are considered the most popular. Alcohol has all the merits of mercury, but unlike them are safe. They do not need batteries or other additional power. They represent a kind of compromise between obsolete and modern devices for measuring temperature.
The latest medical novelty can be considered infrared thermometers. They are classified at the site of exposure. Degrees can be contactless, ear or frontal. Application - strictly for the intended purpose. When creating these devices, the advantages of previous variations of the thermometer were taken into account and their shortcomings were eliminated. As a result, the product was obtained, characterized by:
- security;
- almost instantaneous measurement( no more than 5 seconds);
- small error;
- user-friendliness;
- functionality.
Among the shortcomings: high price and the impossibility of rectal administration.
Best thermometers for children
Children's thermometers without mercury for measuring body temperature have the shape of a nipple. Your baby will not be bothered, and you can easily measure his temperature within 3-4 minutes, the values of which will be displayed on a special display. The color effect will allow you to understand the child's condition immediately, as with a deviation from the norm, the nipple acquires a red color, and if it is kept green.
There are also thermal bands that are easy to carry. Most often they are used in special situations, for example, in nature or on a trip. In everyday life they are not common, because they only record the fact of temperature increase, but do not give exact values.
In general, a method for determining body temperature can be found for every person in any conditions. You just need to make the right choice.