208 



PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



for man, therefore the figures given in the following table are 

 approximate : 



Horse about 100.2°F. 



Ox about 101.5°F. 



Sheep. . .' about 103.5°F. 



Hog about 102.6°F. 



In order to arrive at a fairly accurate figure, for a 

 given animal, it is often necessary to take two or 

 more readings at an interval of an hour, and com- 

 pare them with the temperatures of other healthy 

 animals in the herd. 



Infectious diseases are always ushered in with a 

 rise in the temperature. By working or even stand- 

 ing in the hot sun, or by confinement in a very warm 

 stable, the temperature of an animal may go up two 

 degrees, in which event it is not an indication of 

 disease. Large drinks of ice-cold water or exposure 

 to a very cold, penetrating wind may cause the 

 temperature to fall below normal. These and similar 

 influences should always be taken into account when 

 making the examination. 



A rapid rise in temperature of six or eight degrees 

 with as quick return to normal is a less dangerous 

 signal than a slow rise of three or four degrees that 

 is maintained for some time . For example, in garget 

 or acute inflammation of the cow's udder, the tem- 

 perature may run up to 107°F. or higher without 

 risk to life, as it soon comes down again; while in 

 certain other infectious diseases the temperature 

 hovers around 103.5°F. for days until death finally 

 ensues. 



The special examination includes the three fol- 

 lowing aids, all of which are necessary to enable 

 one to realize the exact meaning of many symptoms: 



(1) Diagnostic Inoculations. — These consist in the 

 introduction of certain agents into the bodies of 

 animals for the purpose of recognizing disease or of 

 thermometer, obtaining an early diagnosis. They are only service- 

 able in those cases where the examination leads us to suspect 

 some infectious disease. They are injected under or into the 



Fig. 60. 

 Clinical 



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