TENTH ANNUAL REPORT 39 



MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. 



The report of the Medical Department, which appears in this 

 volume, shows that continued success has followed the efforts 

 of our Veterinarian and Pathologist in their efforts to keep down 

 the death-rate. During 1905 there have been fewer cases of sick- 

 ness in every department of the Park than in any previous year, 

 and a corresponding reduction in the number of deaths. 



Among the mammals, in spite of an increase of the number of 

 animals on exhibition, there were only 92 deaths in 1905, as com- 

 pared with 106 for 1904. It would appear, therefore, that the 

 death-rate had been reduced to a minimum. Of course, it is not 

 possible to reduce the rate much below the present, as many of 

 the animals on exhibition are naturally short-lived. 



Among the primates tuberculosis has been almost stamped out, 

 as we have only lost one monkey from this cause during the past 

 year, and cage paralysis has also been much less troublesome 

 than formerly. Among the ungulates, particularly among those 

 from the Old World, the standard of health has been high, and 

 an increased birth-rate has resulted. 



BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY. 



The projection of a biological laboratory is in the line of the 

 development of the medical and pathological department, which 

 was established in 1901 and has rendered such conspicuous service 

 in ascertaining the causes of animal diseases, proper methods of 

 prevention and treatment, and rapid diminution of the death-rate. 

 The laboratory will make better accommodation than the present 

 quarters in the Park afford, not only for the services of the veter- 

 inarian. Dr. Blair, and of the pathologist. Dr. Harlow Brooks, 

 but for the physiologist. Prof. William Gies, who has kindly vol- 

 unteered his services and those of the department of physiological 

 chemistry of Columbia University. In the dissecting and oper- 

 ating room facilities will be afforded for the autopsies and ana- 

 tomical preparations for the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory and other institutions. The adjoining hospital with its open 

 connecting yards will offer the best facilities for the observation 

 and care of injured or diseased animals. 



The Society has been a pioneer in the development of expert 

 researches in comparative medicine and pathology, and the labora- 

 tory marks the continued determination to take the utmost advan- 

 tage of the scientific opportunities which the large collection of 



