140 VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



DIRECTIONS FOR USING TUBERCULIN AS PREPARED IN THE BIO- 

 CHEMIC LABORATORY OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY 

 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE. 



The febrile reaction in tuberculous cattle following the sub- 

 cutaneous injection of tuberculin begins from six to ten hours 

 after the injection, reaches the maximum nine to fifteen hours 

 after the injection, and returns to normal eighteen to twenty-six 

 hour after the injection. 



In conducting the test the following course is recommended 

 to those who wish to obtain the most accurate results : 



(i) Begin to.take the rectal temperature at 6 a. m., and 

 take it every hour thereafter until midnight. 



(2) Make the injection at midnight. 



(3 Begin to take the temperature next morning at 6 o'clock, 

 and continue as on preceding day. 



To those who have large herds to examine or who are un- 

 able to give the time - required by the above directions, the fol- 

 lowing shortened course is recommended : 



(1) Begin to take the temperature at 8 a.m., and continue 

 every two hours until 10 p. m. (omitting at 8 p. m. if more con- 

 venient). 



(2) Make the injection at 10 p. m. 



(3) Take the temperature next morning at 6 or 8 o'clock, 

 and every two hours thereafter until 6 or 8 p. m. 



Each adult animal should receive 2 cubic centimeters (about 

 30 minims) of the undiluted tuberculin as it is sent from the 

 laboratory. Yearlings and two-year-olds should receive 1 to i}i 

 cubic centimeters, according to size. Bulls and very large ani- 

 mals may receive 3 cubic centimeters. The injection is made 

 beneath the skin of the neck or shoulders. 



There is usually no marked local swelling at the seat of in- 

 jection. 



There is, now and then, uneasiness, trembling, and the more 

 frequent passage of softened dung. There may also be a slight 

 acceleration of the pulse and of the breathing. 



A rise in the temperature on the day following the injec- 

 tion of two or more degrees F. above the maximum observed 

 on the previous day, should be regarded as an indication of 

 tuberculosis. For any rise less than this a repetition of the in- 

 jection after three to six weeks is highly desirable. 



In rare cases the temperature may rise in the absence of 

 any disease, or it may fail to rise when tuberculosis is present. 



It is hardly necessary to suggest that, for the convenience 

 of the one making the test, the animals should not be turned 

 out, but fed and watered in the stable. It is desirable to make 

 note of the time of feeding and watering. 



