EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT. 105 
During 1902, 227 deaths are recorded; most of these cases came 
to autopsy. During the past year the collection has been consid- 
erably enlarged in the number of valuable species, yet the deaths 
which have occurred during 1903 have been only 113; a notice- 
able decrease in the mortality. We shall show further on in our re- 
port that this decided diminution in the death rate has been mostly 
in those diseases which may be characterized as preventable, and 
it is certain that the great improvement has been due not to for- 
tune nor to the fact that less delicate species of animals have been 
kept this year, but chiefly, if not entirely, to the quarantine sys- 
tem, the treatment of sick animals, and perhaps most of all to the 
preventive measures which previous experience has taught us to 
put into practice at the Park. 
Of the stock present during the past year, 503 were carried over 
from 1902, and during 1903 accessions were added as follows: 
hoofed stock 123, primates 47, miscellaneous mammals 60. Total 
733. Our death-rate, therefore, gives a mortality of about 15.4 per 
cent., apparently large, but when we consider the previous rate, 
it is seen to be small, especially when we remember the nor- 
mally short life of most wild animals. 
In so far as I have been able to learn from other reports, and 
from personal observation, I do not think that we should expect 
to markedly reduce the percentage below that reached this year 
if the Society still continues to keep the same high-class stock 
which they now carry. It is also to be expected, that from time 
to time infected animals will creep into the collection, despite the 
most cautious supervision, and we must therefore reckon on occa- 
sional outbreaks of infectious and contagious diseases from which 
we have been very free for the past year. We must see to it that 
no laxity or carelessness on our part is responsible at any time. 
It is very significant that of our 113 deaths, 21 took place in 
animals but very recently introduced to the Park. Seventeen of 
these arrived in a moribund condition, a large proportion of them 
were never placed on exhibition, and all 21 died within a few days 
of conditions contracted before their arrival at the Park. Among 
these animals were several expensive additions made to the collec- 
tion. 
Equally important in this relation is the always imminent dan- 
ger that animals may contract diseases of a contagious nature 
which may not become evident until the stock has become the 
property of the Society. 
