562 VETEEINAKY HYGIENE 



of course is not so, the personal equation is a most im- 

 portant matter, and consistently true results are only 

 obtained when the man behind the syringe is as much up 

 to standard as his mallein. 



It is undeniable that greater accuracy is obtained from 

 the double than with the single reaction, but if we had to 

 elect on which single test the greatest reliance could be 

 placed, without hesitation we should accept the local 

 reaction. With temperature and local reaction no errors 

 should arise. 



The body temperature should be taken four times the day 

 before inoculation, and four times during the 12 hours 

 preceding inoculation. If the latter is made towards 

 evening, say 8 p.m., the temperature for that day should 

 begin to be taken at 8 a.m., and every four hours up to 

 8 p.m., when the injection is made. 



Twelve hours after inoculation, viz., 8 a.m. next day, 

 the temperature is again taken, and again at the 16th, 

 20th, and 24th hour ; by this time in the majority of cases 

 a definite opinion can be formed ; though cases of delayed 

 reaction, even up to the 48th hour, are not uncommon, and 

 should always be looked for. 



Animals living in the open, especially when there are 

 great variations of temperature, or very hot days, are best 

 tested by local reaction only, as the thermometer is likely 

 to mislead. In these cases a valuable aid in a doubtful 

 swelling is lost, but it is unavoidable. A doubtful swelling 

 is a moderately large one with thin edges, dropsical, and 

 scarcely if at all painful. It is doubtful because it is large, 

 and in such a case the thermometer readings would be in- 

 valuable. An undoubted swelling is large with thickened 

 raised edges, and painful, often extremely so. We need 

 not in the least mind what the temperature is of an animal 

 presenting this local reaction, as such a horse is glandered 

 beyond all doubt. 



In doubtful reactions it is well to wait for three or four 

 weeks before repeating the test, but under the exigencies of 

 military service inoculations have frequently to be repeated 



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