SECRETARY’S REPORT 71 
burg, Va., and to 40 boys and girls who were winners in the annual 
Westinghouse Science Talent Search. 
While the Zoo does not conduct a regular research program as 
such, every effort is made to study the animals and to improve their 
health, housing, and diet in any way possible. 
VETERINARIAN’S REPORT 
One of the most important activities of the veterinary department 
has been the application of the projectile type of syringe as an ad- 
junct to therapy. The original work on this equipment was done 
at the University of Georgia and the Georgia Fish and Game Com- 
mission. They produced a temporary paralysis in wild deer, using 
nicotine alkaloid either alone or in combination with thiopental so- 
dium. An attempt was made to adapt this method to the zoological 
collection, but met with very little success except in deer. The ap- 
paratus is used with little disturbance to animals in their captive 
habitat. Its most effective use is in the administration of antibiotics, 
antiserums, ataraxics (sedatives, narcotics, tranquilizers), and vac- 
cines. With this type of therapy it is not necessary to rope, man- 
handle, trap, cage, or exhaust either animals or keepers to provide 
parenteral medication. It is successfully used both inside and outside 
of buildings and in small lots and large paddocks. As the operator 
seldom needs other help, considerable saving in man-hours and an- 
imals results. The following species have been successfully treated 
with this projectile type of syringe: elk, zebra, yak, tiger, pygmy 
hippopotamus, British Park bull, Saiga antelope, camel, elephant, 
kangaroo, bear, deer, Nile hippopotamus, and giraffe. The full de- 
tails of these treatments are contained in a paper to be published 
later. 
A severe case of necrotic stomatitis developed in the Zoo’s bull elk 
during the winter, which prevented him from eating the usual rations. 
Special diet and the use of the projectile syringe are credited with 
effecting a cure. He is now in excellent health. 
The youngest female giraffe was successfully treated with the pro- 
jectile syringe method for bowel impaction and inappetence of 7 days’ 
duration. Lacking this new equipment, it is doubtful that this an- 
imal could have been treated at all. 
During the year a major dietary change was instituted by the 
Associate Director and was enthusiastically supported by the entire 
animal department. The diets for the carnivores and omnivores were 
patterned after those developed by the Philadelphia Zoological Park 
and in use successfully by that organization since 1935. It is too 
early to draw definite conclusions, but it is felt that these changes 
have already benefited the animal colonies by increased reproduction 
