SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 105 
the arctic regions where tuberculosis is unknown, with the similar 
fate of the Esquimaux who were brought to this country by 
Lieutenant Peary, all of whom contracted tuberculosis within a 
few days after landing. The great rapidity of these cases, which 
came under my observation, is most instructive in that it teaches 
us to especially guard against the possibility of infections for 
creatures coming from a widely altered habitat. 
In my last report I mentioned the presence of a tubercular-like 
disease primarily affecting the gums of the reptiles and in bad 
cases producing metastases in the viscera. It was intended that 
a serious study of this disease be made during the past year, with 
special reference to the determination of its nature and cause. 
We have been very happily disappointed in not receiving enough 
material from our reptiles to make this study possible; this is 
most complimentary to the care which these animals have re- 
ceived, for I believe this disease is one of the most frequent 
causes of death among reptiles in captivity. I nevertheless very 
much regret to state that Chicago has decidedly beaten us in the 
investigation of this disease, for Dr. Evans has demonstrated the 
presence of tubercle bacilli in the lesions, and has succeeded in 
communicating the disease to other animals by inoculations with 
the tubercular matter. I have been, as yet, unable to substantiate 
Dr. Evans’s work in the few cases of the disease which we have 
had in the past year, but the condition seems to be thoroughly 
established in his cases at least. 1 wish to acknowledge the 
kindness of Dr. Evans, who sent me specimens from his cases 
in which I have found numerous bacilli corresponding to the 
tubercle bacillus. The past year’s work has taught all of us to 
modify our ideas considerably in regard to the possibility of 
tuberculosis in cold-blooded animals, for the disease has now 
undoubtedly been induced, either naturally or experimentally, in 
both frogs and fishes, and we are all, I believe, growing to con- 
sider the tubercle bacillus as either protean in its forms or capable 
of undergoing great modifications in its biological possibilities. 
GASTRO-ENTERITIS. 
Although our past experiences and observations have taught 
us much in regard to gastro-enteritis, nevertheless it still remains 
probably the most serious problem with which we have to deal. 
Forty-three deaths have been caused by this disorder. Of 
these deaths eleven have been of the ruminants, the most val- 
uable animals dying from this disease. Seven members of the 
canidz died from the disorder, but two of these cases were caused 
