Medicines. 157 



taking them to and from the stall by the aid of a decoy. 

 This step lasts, under ordinary treatment, for about three 

 weeks, when an elephant may be taken alone with his 

 legs hobbled, and a man walking backwards in front 

 with the point of the hendoo always presented to the 

 elephant's head, and a keeper with an iron crook at 

 each ear. On getting into the water, the fear of being 

 pricked on his tender back induces him to lie down 

 directly on the crook being only held over him in ter- 

 roreni. Once this point has been achieved, the further 

 process of taming is dependent upon the disposition of 

 the creature.' 



The greatest care is requisite, and daily medicines are 

 applied to heal the fearful wounds on the legs which 

 even the softest ropes occasion. This is the great diffi- 

 culty of training ; for the wounds fester grievously, and 

 months and sometimes years will elapse before an ele- 

 phant will allow his feet to be touched without indications 

 of alarm and anger. 



The observation has been frequently made that the 

 elephants most vicious and troublesome to tame, and 



' JOKDANUS DE Sev'ERAC, in his anotlier man with his face hare a7id 



Alirabilia Descripta, written about the clad in another colour, who feigneth 



year 1330, thus describes the mode then to smite the first man, and to drive and 



in use for taming captured elephants in thrust him away. Then he cometh to 



Cambodia: — "And so the wild ele- the elephant and talketh to him, and 



phant remaineth caught between the with a long spear he scratcheth him, 



two gates. Then cometh a man clothed and he kisses him and gives him food. 



in black or red, with his face covered. And this goes on for ten or fifteen days, 



who cruelly thrashes him from above, and so by degrees he ventureth down 



and crieth out cruelly against him as beside him and bindeth him to another 



against a ' thief! ' and this goeth on for elephant. And then afterabout twenty 



five or six days ; without his getting days he may be taken out to be taught 



anything to eat or drink. Then cometh and broken in." (Chap. v.J 



