120 



Agricultural Bacteriology. 



poor cows lower. The variation in the normal individual 

 animal may range from 99 F. to 103 F. The varia- 

 tion that may occur in the temperature of a well-kept 

 healthy animal is shown in the following table in which 

 are given the temperatures of two healthy cows for 

 twenty-four hours, together with the rate of pulse and 

 the number of respirations per minute. Exercise, ex- 

 citement, and hot weather increase the temperature. A 

 hot spell causes a rise of two and sometimes four degrees. 

 The drinking of cold water lowers the temperature. 



Temperature, Rate of Pulse, and Respirations per Minute. 



The temperature is taken in the rectum by means of a 

 clinical or fever thermometer, similar to those used by 

 physicians. The mercury in these thermometers cloes 

 not run down, but stays at the highest point reached, 

 i. e., registers, until shaken down. Veterinary ther- 

 mometers of heavy glass with a ring at the end are best ; 

 a string is attached to the ring and to a small paper 

 clamp. When the thermometer is inserted in the 

 animal, the clamp is attached to the long hair at the 

 base of the tail. In this way the thermometer, if ejected 

 by the animal, will not be lost or broken on the floor. 



