The Abderhalden Reaction 135 



vanced, it may prove valuable in sheep, goats, swine, and 

 carnivora, where rectal palpation is not practicable, but in 

 these a diagnosis is rarely of sufficient importance to war- 

 rant the cost. 



It is claimed that the test is highly valuable in cases of 

 sale and warranty, but at the same time it is admitted that 

 the blood of a cow which has recently calved, and presuma- 

 bly also of one which has recently aborted, gives a positive 

 reaction for a somewhat indefinite period. Accordingly, 

 even though a test is positive and no error in technic has 

 been made, the Abderhalden test can at best show only an 

 alternative result — ^that is, the animal either is or has re- 

 cently been pregnant. Just how recently, we do not know. 

 In this respect it is inferior to physical diagnosis, because 

 the latter shows that the animal is actually pregnant at the 

 time of examination and in many cases gives valuable in- 

 formation as to the safety of the pregnancy. 



In another direction the Abderhalden test is very de- 

 fective. In examining cows for sterility, the examiner 

 must decide upon the spot whether a cow is pregnant. In 

 many cases the whole value of his work in relation to ster- 

 ility depends upon a prompt and accurate diagnosis without 

 resort to laboratory methods, with the accompanying de- 

 lays and difficulties. For example, when called to examine 

 a cow which has proven sterile, at about the time for a re- 

 turn of the estrual period, the practitioner needs to make a 

 prompt and accurate diagnosis and apply the proper handl- 

 ing immediately. If he cannot make a diagnosis and take 

 prompt action, if the cow is nearing estrum, he must lose 

 one period without having made any material progress. At 

 present it seems highly improbable that the Abderhalden 

 test for pregnancy is destined to attain a prominent place 

 in veterinary medicine. 



The physical diagnosis of pregnancy is not dependent 

 upon any one sign, but rather upon a summary of all signs, 

 all of which are in close accord and are available to the 

 careful examiner. We have dealt with these individually. 

 They should always be considered individually, and later 



