The increase &Dgr;Tin average gas temperature for ac and dc has been determined from measurements of the increase in pressure. A small McLeod gauge was used. Wall temperature was regulated. Corrections for end effects were made by comparing results for long and short tubes of 3.6 cm diameter. Assuming the radial variation of heat input to be parabolic, the temperature distribution was calculated using published values of heat conductivityK. From the results the heat inputPmper centimeter length was calculated. This value was compared with the elastic lossPccomputed from electron temperatureTeand number of electronsNeper centimeter column, taking into account the variation of mean free path with electron velocity. Good agreement was obtained for mercury pressures ranging from 1 to 25 microns, with the arc current 0.2–0.6 ampere and the argon filling pressure 3.5 mm (Hg).