DISEASES OF CATTLE 279 



ders. This places the operator out of danger of being kicked. The 

 injection may be made on the side toward the operator, or on the op- 

 posite side by reaching over the back of the animal. The skin is 

 lifted up with one hand and the needle thrust through at right angles 

 but parallel to the side of the animal so that the contents of the 

 syringe may be discharged underneath the skin, but not into the 

 muscles. 



The syringe should be graduated in cubic centimeters. It should 

 be provided with a "stop" so that a definite amount of tuberculin and 

 no more can be easily injected. The needles should slip onto the bar- 

 rel of the syringe, rather than screw on. This enables the operator to 

 insert the needle before it is attached to the syringe and thus decreases 

 the danger of breaking the needle if the animal moves. The needles 

 should be kept sharp by whetting on an oil stone in order that they 

 may be inserted easily. Before use the syringe should be disinfected 

 or sterilized, so that infection with harmful bacteria at the point of 

 inoculation may not take place. If the washer on the plunger is rub- 

 ber, the syringe may be placed in cold water, which is then heated to 

 the boiling point. If the washer is leather, the syringe must not be 

 heated, but may be disinfected by placing in a five per cent solution 

 of carbolic acid for a number of hours. Use glycerine, rather than 

 vaseline, on the plunger to make it slide easily. The syringe may be 

 filled directly from the bottle through the needle. 



In order to prevent infection at the point of inoculation, the 

 point at which the injection is to be made should be saturated with a 

 five per cent solution of carbolic acid. 



What Is a Proper Dose of Tuberculin? The tuberculin fur- 

 nished by the state is of such concentration that 2 cc. should be used 

 for an ordinary sized animal, 900 to 1100 pounds. Proportionally 

 larger or smaller amounts should be used for heavy or light animals. 

 Bulls weighing 1500 to 2000 pounds should receive 3 to 4 cc., young 

 animals 400 to 600 pounds, 1 cc., etc. 



When Is the Tuberculin to Be Injected? The injection should 

 be made at such a time that the temperature can again be taken 

 eight hours later. Prom 8 to 10 p. m. is the most convenient time, 

 as it is then possible to begin the second series of temperature read- 

 ings in the morning. 



How Many Temperatures Should Be Taken After Injection? 

 Begin at the eighth hour after injection and continue at two hour 

 intervals until at least the eighteenth hour after injection. With 

 all animals that show a fever the temperatures should be taken 

 until it begins to fall in a decided manner. 



How Should the Animals Be Cared for During the Test? As 

 far as possible they should be handled in the regular manner used 

 on the particular farm. Cattle not fed or watered at accustomed 

 times may become nervous, and the temperature will rise. If the 

 daily routine is not such as will enable the test to be made conve- 

 niently, change a week or ten days before the test is to be made, so 

 that the cattle may become accustomed to it. During the test the 

 cattle must be kept in the barn for about 24 hours. 



