NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



77 



llARTEBEESTE 



The average exhibition period for these nine specimens was 

 about 4 years, 5 months. 



For the first time in several years, distemper has been the 

 cause of a considerable number of deaths among the small mam- 

 mals, where the disease assumed the type of acute broncho-pneu- 

 monia. This disease is the most insidious with which we have 

 to contend. In addition to the great susceptibility and high mor- 

 tality, when distemper is contracted by the small mammals, 

 there is always the greater danger of the infection spreading 

 to our large carnivores, where it would be most difficult to con- 

 trol. On account of the large number of species susceptible to 

 this disease, every small mammal which arrives at the Park is 

 viewed with suspicion and quarantined for two or three weeks. 

 Distemper is universally prevalent throughout the country, and 

 is rarely absent for any length of time from, the channels of 



