You have to understand that thermometers are holy.  A part of the religion
of  medicine.  They are a necessary tool  for intake into the temple of
medicine (office or ER).  I love it when I get a report from the ER saying
infant brought in for tactile temperature (in other words, mom touched kid,
and kid was hot!)  I use my magic grandmother hands to tell if kid has temp
or a kiss on the forehead works well, however neither are scientific, just
very accurate :-)  But I have to have a NUMBER in the record.  You wouldn't
believe how many nursing research papers have been written on  how, why and
where to take temps :-)  Sincerely, Pat in SNJ