BY C. J. POUND, F.E.M.S. 45 



This constitutes the only real difficulty, for while determin- 

 ing that an abnormal rise in temperature has taken place, di;e 

 allowance nuist be made for variations within the normal range 

 of temperature and for those produced by causes other than the 

 injection of tuberculin, for instance : — 



{<() As a rule young animals are much warmer than old 

 animals. 



{!)) The temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, espe- 

 cially during the summer months, aliects different animals 

 iinequally. 



(r) The drinking of cold water lowers the body temperature 

 for sometimes over one hour afterwards. 



('/) The presence of other diseases. 



{(■) The approach of calving. 



(;■) In the case of cows in heat, the temperature of the 

 body is usually abnormal. 



(//) Excitement due to fast driving. 



Having due regard to the above facts, it is recommended 

 that all cattle except those manifestly too ill should be tested. 



According to very numerous exhaustive experiments even 

 cows in the last stages of pregnancy do not seem to react from 

 the tuberculin injection unless they are tuberculous. 



\Yhen, however, the preliminary temperature before injec- 

 tion is above 104 degrees, the animal may be temporarily passed 

 and tested on a subsequent date, but if it is stispected that the 

 high temperature is due to a tul)ercular condition it is advisable 

 to proceed with the test. 



By folloAving a fixed rule the work becomes, so to speak, 

 automatic, and greater accuracy is obtained if the following 

 order of procedure is observed : — 



I. Place all the animals to be tested in bails or a crush, and 



have them marked. 



II. Take the preliminary temperature at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. 



on the day of injection. 



III. Inject the tuberculin at p.m. 



