118 NEW, YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
and other infectious and contagious diseases may become dissem- 
inated throughout the entire collection. This can all be pre- 
vented by the introduction of measures which can be carried out 
without, I verily believe, more expense than the cost of the ani- 
mals we may lose in any year from these diseases. I would 
strongly recommend, therefore, that no animal be admitted to 
the common inclosures or cages until those animals have been 
kept isolated and under the observation of the veterinarian until 
he is fully satisfied that they are free from contagious disease. 
It hardly seems necessary to defend this suggestion, but I would 
like to call your attention again to the remarkable results which 
have followed the enforcement of the similar rule which has 
resulted in the absolute eradication of rabies from England and 
Australia. 
Undoubtedly such a rule would involve the construction of 
a suitable building in which this work could be carried out. This 
building would preferably be placed in an obscure part of the 
Park, and should not, of course, be open to the general public. 
It need not be an expensive building, but in any case I believe 
that it would be the most paying investment which the Zoological 
Society could make. 
Such a building could be further utilized as a hospital to which 
animals under treatment for contagious diseases could be re- 
moved, so preventing infection of their fellows. I believe that 
under the supervision of the veterinarian such a hospital could 
be built for a very reasonable sum and yet possess all the nec- 
essary appliances. I do not wish to be understood that I advise 
that every monkey with lymphatic tuberculosis, for instance, be 
removed from exhibition, but I do most earnestly insist that all 
animals even so slightly infectious should be removed from the 
cages of healthy animals. For example, a cage could be reserved 
in the monkey house in which tubercular animals fit for exhibition 
might be placed, careful means being taken to prevent infection 
being carried from this cage to uninfected ones. Unless some 
such measure is introduced tuberculosis is practically sure to 
become diffused throughout the entire primate collection. The 
observations of Dr. Blair have clearly shown that the disease is 
communicated among the monkeys as in man, and these state- 
ments must appear self-evident to any thinking man. 
DISINFECTION. 
Should be generally practiced in cleansing the cages of dead 
or sick animals. This applies especially to the primate, lion, bird 
