No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 489 



All animals should be vaccinated on the same side, and marked 

 in such a way that they may be easily recognized. The best way 

 to mark them is to use a small branding iron in the shape of a V, 

 or to fasten a metal tag in the ear. As calves which have been 

 vaccinated for blackleg frequently command a higher price than 

 the uuvaccinated calves, it is of importance that they be plainly 

 marked. 



When the animal is secured, fill the syringe with vaccine, and 

 ascertain that it contains no air bubbles ; then insert the needle by 

 grasping a fold of the loose skin between the thumb and forefinger 

 of the left hand, and pushing the needle through the skin. The 

 operator now adjusts the peg of the syringe tightly in the cap of 

 the needle and injects the dose, which has been previously limited 

 by the screw regulator on the piston. The needle is then with- 

 drawn without detaching the syringe, and, to prevent any of the 

 vaccine from escaping through the hole of injection, the skin is 

 pressed tightly around the receding needle. The latter is then 

 detached, the regulator screwed back to its proper place, accord- 

 ing to the size and age of the animal to be next vaccinated. 



When a large number of cattle are to be vaccinated, it is of 

 importance to have a sufficient number of assistants, as otherwise 

 the process becomes exceedingly tiresome and fatiguing, both to 

 the operator and to the assistants. The herd to be treated is con- 

 fined in a pen, from which a small number, from five to ten, 

 according to the number of assistants at hand, are driven into a 

 smaller pen, where the assistants throw them and hold them down. 

 Very wild range cattle must be. lassoed ; but graded or fine stock, 

 being less unmanageable, should be seized by the head and thrown. 

 The first method requires a larger pen, but when the assistants are 

 skilful in handling the lasso, it is by far the quickest way. The 

 animals should all be thrown on the same side. One assistant sits 

 across the side of the thrown animal, with his face toward its 

 head, and holding the upper fore leg pulled back and up. When 

 secured in this way, it is almost impossible for a well-grown 

 yearling to free itself. 



With older and stronger animals it is safer to have two men to 

 hold each, as an animal which succeeds in getting up before all 

 have been injected and marked will frequently make things very 

 unpleasant for the operator and assistants, chasing them from the 

 pen, and necessitating a repetition of the whole process. 



The operator should have an assistant insert the needle, while he 

 himself adjusts the regulator. After inserting the needle, the 

 assistant lifts the skin fold, presenting the cap of the needle so 



