116 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1953 



As in previous years the Zoo received gifts of various kinds of 

 food that could not be sold for human consumption but was suitable 

 for animals. Some of this material was turned over to the Zoo at the 

 suggestion of District of Columbia food inspectors. This helps con- 

 siderably to hold purchases to a minimum. 



Through the office of United States Marshal W. Bruce Matthews, 

 food that had been condemned by the courts was sent to the Zoo for 

 the animals. This consisted of 1,544 pounds of frozen shrimp, 291 

 pounds of chickens, 170 pounds of peanut butter, and 570 pounds of 

 pecan halves. 



In a few instances such materials as rice, flour, and beans unaccept- 

 able for human use have been purchased at low prices from General 

 Services Administration or commercial firms. 



The National Institutes of Health, Navy Medical Center, and Army 

 Medical Center gave the Zoo mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and 

 other animals no longer suitable for their purposes. 



The practice has been continued of picking up from grocery stores 

 in the vicinity of the Zoo quantities of discarded green material such 

 as beet tops, celery stalks, and the outer leaves of cabbage, cauliflower, 

 and lettuce. This provides an abundance of greens for the animals 

 and helps reduce purchase of such foods. 



COOPERATION 



At all times special efforts are made to maintain friendly contacts 

 with other Government and State agencies, private concerns and 

 individuals, and scientific workers for mutual assistance. As a result 

 the Zoo receives much help and advice and many valuable specimens, 

 and in turn the Zoo furnishes information and, whenever possible, 

 specimens not needed. 



In 1950 Dr. Willard H. Eyestone, veterinary pathologist of the 

 National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md., requested permission to 

 examine animals that died at the Zoo in order to obtain information 

 regarding cancer and other diseases affecting human beings. Accord- 

 ingly arrangements were made to notify Dr. Eyestone of all deaths 

 of animals in the Zoo and give him an opportunity to perform autop- 

 sies, if he desired. The following two paragraphs are from a brief 

 report on the results of this work : 



Over 250 autopsies have been performed since 1950. Among them six cancers 

 have been discovered. The most striliing pathological change common to any 

 group is found in the thyroid gland of carnivores, in which all gradations from 

 the slightest proliferative growths to spreading cancer have been seen. Moat 

 deaths are caused by infectious agents, including bacteria, fungi, and the animal 

 parasites. Some deaths are the result of degenerative diseases of old age. 



A summary of the interesting highlights covering the Zoo autopsies was pre- 

 sented before the Washington Society of Pathologists on October 8, 1952. Simi- 

 lar reports are planned for the future, besides the publishing of scientific papers 



