PRIZE ESSAY 
343 
ness is required, and it answers the same purpose in investigating 
the temperature as the second hand does in counting the pulse.” 
In using the thermometer “ it is placed six or eight inches in 
the rectum, and in complete contact with its walls: it should be 
left in this situation about ten minutes, after which it should be 
read by partially withdrawing it ; replaced again for another two 
minutes, and again read.”* 
In this way correctness is insured, and to save the time of the 
operator it is suggested that the thermometer be brought to near 
the normal temperature of the body before inserting it. The rec¬ 
tum should be cleared of excrement before the instrument is in¬ 
serted. Zundel gives a very excellent table, whereby the temper¬ 
ature may be recorded conveniently, which all inspectors should 
use, as it enables a complete record of large herds to be kept with 
ease, the results being apparent at a glance. 
To show the reliance placed upon the thermometer by the 
British authorities, the following resume of the Report is pre¬ 
sented : 
“Notwithstanding Article 3 of the Circular of 1873, prescrib¬ 
ing the obligatory slaughter of pneumonic animals, the .Privy 
Council, attributing in great part the continuation of the prevail¬ 
ing pleuro-pneumonia to the delay of slaughtering * * 
are of opinion that the disease would be efficaciously stopped by 
other disposition if executed in the following manner:— 
“ 1st. Cattle affected with pleuro-pneumonia must be killed in 
the shortest possible time. 
“2nd. The internal temperature of each animal which has been 
exposed to contagion must be observed, and the herd divided into 
two separated lots. 
“ The lot A will include animals whose temperature will rise 
above 103° F. These will be destroyed in the shortest possible 
time, if positive symptoms of pleuro-pneumonia became manifest. 
“ The lot B will include the balance of the herd. Those 
animals will be examined with the thermometer every week, and 
transferred to lot A if the temperature rises above 103° FT 
*Aug. Zundel. 
