No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 381 



subjected to conditions utterly foreign to their ordinary exist- 

 ence. Neat stock are not mere machines, but are excitable 

 animals, materially affected by unusual conditions. Another 

 significant fact in relation to the cows brought to these markets 

 is that they generally are or are about to be new milch ; and it 

 is within the knowledge of all who have had practical experi- 

 ence in this direction that this greatly increases their nervous 

 sensibilities, and experiment shows that this actually has a 

 direct effect upon their internal temperatures. Added to this 

 is the fact that great popular interest has been shown in the 

 matter of the tests applied at Brighton or Watertown, and that 

 consequently at the time when these animals are being exam- 

 ined there is usually a large crowd of interested and curious 

 people present, wdio are anxious to thoroughly understand the 

 test and its workinsr in the field. 



Although the commission, even with its slight experience, 

 has recognized the fact that the presence of these spectators 

 has to a greater or less extent rendered it more difficult to 

 obtain satisfactory results, they have felt that the public should 

 be accorded every opportunity to witness their methods and the 

 effect of tuberculin upon the animals subjected to the test ; and 

 they have, therefore, accorded to all persons who desired every 

 reasonable opportunity to watch the proceedings throughout 

 their several stages. An examination of the tests at these mar- 

 kets has i)roved to the satisfaction of the commission that all 

 of these abnormal conditions have very materially complicated 

 the temperature tables, as a result of which they have made a 

 few mistakes in arriving at their conclusions. 



The first test of cattle at Brighton and Watertown, under 

 the circular of November 20, was made upon the twenty-first 

 day of November, and has continued weekly since that date. 

 The examinations begin about Tuesday noon and continue until 

 Thursday evening of each w^eek, the entire time of Commis- 

 sioner Herrick being given to this work in the field upon these 

 days, as is a portion of the time of two other commissioners. 

 Another full day of Commissioner Herrick's time is consumed 

 at the office in attending to the business resulting from those 

 examinations. In addition to this, the Board employs some 

 ten or twelve assistants in performing the tests and in the vari- 

 ous parts of the work. 



