56 SWINE PRACTICE 



inent. Should cultures be made they should be carefully labelled. 

 Specimens collected to be sent to a laboratory should be typical 

 lesions and sufficient in size so that they may he readily identified 

 at the laboratorj'. In packing specimens to send to a laboratory, 

 the following points should be observed : 



1. "Wet specimens should be packed in a sufficient quantity of 

 borax to prevent leakage of Huids. 



2. Select the container that renders the least chance of breakage. 



3. All packages should be plainly marked. 



4. Remember that postal laws require that fluids and similar 

 materials be placed in properly sealed containers, which must be 

 inclosed in a proper mailing case. 



5. Express regulations require that diseased tissues must be placed 

 in a tin, zinc or other metal-lined box, that can be properly sealed. 



6. Specimens should be sent so they will reach the laboratory in 

 the shortest possible time. If sent by parcel post, a special delivery 

 stamp should be attached. 



7. Specimens of blood for agglutination test or for bacteriologie 

 study should be collected in a clean sterile vial which can be properly 

 sealed. At least 20 mil of blood should be sent for an agglutination 

 test. 



8. Portions of tumors for microscopic examination may be packed 

 in borax or 10 per cent formalin, in a proper container. 



9. Parasites for identification may be placed in 10 per cent 

 formalin or 25 per cent alcohol. 



10. A brain which is to be examined for rabies should be packed 

 in borax. 



11. Blood smears may be made on microscopic slides, air dried, 

 labelled and forwarded direct to the laboratory. 



12. Samples of pus or wound discharges are preferablj^ collected 

 in clean vials and enclosed in proper mailing cases. 



13. A descriptive letter of specimens sent, including the history, 

 symptoms and autopsy findings and instructions as to the examina- 

 tion desired, should accompany the specimens or be mailed at the 

 same time. 



Restraint 



It is frequently necessary to restrain swine in making a clinical 

 examination or for the purpose of medication. Swine are not cared 

 for individually, excepting some liigih class piire-bred animals, and 



