ArPENDTX. 459 



he cut open and kept open \uitil they heal up from the bottom. A 

 downward oritice should, if possible, be secured to permit the escape 

 of the matter. Cutting open a sore back is generally a terrible busi- 

 ness, as the elephant, not realising the utility of the operation, lights 

 against it with all his might. He must be Avell secured and held 

 down, and a sharp razor is the best weapon to use. The wounds 

 should then be thoroughly washed out with a solution of alum ; and 

 then filled with a stufliing composed of two parts of Nim leaves and 

 one part common salt well pounded together. If they should slough 

 or throw up proud flesh, they must be touched with bluestone at 

 intervals. This cleaning and dressing will have to be repeated at 

 least twice a day ; and the practitioner will have his hands full while 

 it lasts in keeping the lazy elephant attendants up to their work. 

 They will always, if allowed, let a sore back heal up superficially 

 only to break out again on the first pressure. They rather like their 

 elephant to have a sore back, as it saves them the trouble of loading 

 it and going out to cut fodder. I have known them cause a sore 

 back on purpose by inserting a stone below the pad ; and I knew one 

 case in which an elephant was destroyed by these ruffians, by the 

 continued application of quicklime to a sore near the spine. 



Elephants are very liable to intestinal worms. They generally 

 cure themselves, when they get very troublesome, by swallowing 

 from ten to twenty pounds of earth. They always select a red- 

 coloured earth for the purpose. In about twelve hours after, 

 purging commences and all the worms come away. When this 

 occurs the hard food should be stopped for a week, fodder only being 

 given ; and a ball of spices should be given every day. Some 

 elephants will not eat earth when they require it ; and they are 

 considered a very bad lot in consequence. I do not know how to 

 treat them for worms. Should an elephant get wounded by a tiger, 

 or otherwise, the places should be well cleaned and kept moistened 

 with cold water. If they get foul apply Holloway's ointment. The 

 mahouts have a cruel practice in such cases of heating balls of 

 elephant's dung in the fire and splitting them open, applying them 

 hot and hot to the wounds. I believe it to be as iiseless as it is 

 barbarous. Eomentations and rest are required in the rare event of 

 a strain. 



The above are the commonest cases that will call for treatment by 

 the elephant owner. They seldom prove fatal (excepting Zerhdd), 

 but are very troublesome when not properly attended to. Besides 

 these elephants are subject to several obscure internal diseases, which 

 fortunately are of very rare occurrence, but when they do occur 

 usually prove fatal from the difficulty of diagnosing or treating them. 

 Among them are fever and inflammation of the internal organs. 

 Bleeding can, I believe, be effected from some small arteries behind 

 the ears ; but I have never seen it done. It would probably offer the 

 only chance of a cure in such cases. 



