394 
.T. T. DUNCAN. 
ducing suspected or sick animals among those inoculated. 
The question of its efficacy and safety is now beyond discussion or 
dispute ; thanks to Mr. Rutherford, the problem is solved and the 
freedom of Edinburgh from pleuro-pneumonia at the present 
time—a condition which has not been known to exist for more 
than thirty years—is mainly, if not entirely, due to his scientific 
skill.” 
Other authorities and facts might be quoted in support of in¬ 
oculation, but enough has been said to prove its value, and as it is 
of the utmost importance that the operation be performed prop¬ 
erly (much of the prejudice against this measure being due to 
ignorance and carelessness) I give Mr. Rutherford’s method of 
operating :— 
“ Taking the systemic conditions, first, I find that it is not ad¬ 
visable to inoculate cows immediately before calving. I would 
not like to do it upon any cow that had less than eight or ten 
weeks to run; nor is it advisable to do it immediately after 
calving. At least fourteen days ought to be allowed to elapse, 
and it should only be done then if the animal has, both locally 
and constitutionally, recovered from parturition. It should not 
be done, but deferred if there is the slightest degree of inflamma¬ 
tory action in any part of the body; in short, the animal should 
be, as far as we can ascertain, well in all respects. It should not 
be done if we consider the animal to be affected with pleuro¬ 
pneumonia; but, at the same time, I must tell you that I have 
reason to think that there is a stage in the disease, the very earli¬ 
est, when, if inoculation is peiformed, good results may reason¬ 
ably be expected to follow. I do not advise it however. 
“ It is not advisable to inoculate in very hot weather ; and it 
is less advisable to inoculate during the winter months, unless 
special arrangements can be made for maintaining a uniform 
warm temperature. It is not, in my opinion, advisable to inocu¬ 
late with any but one kind of virus, and that should always be 
fresh and free from any foreign matter; nor is it advisable to 
adopt any modification of the true method of inoculation. 1 
would ask you to note that mild or modified inoculation is not to 
be depended upon, and should not, therefore, be practiced. I am 
