SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 101 



entire digestive tract. The intestinal contents being in the pre- 

 ponderance of cases food in an imperfect state of digestion, 

 mixed with sero-sanguineous fluid. It may be of interest to re- 

 mark in this connection that, while there was evidence of in- 

 testinal atrophy in all cases, those of the deer were much more 

 clearly atrophic than those of the moose, possibly because of 

 more prolonged suffering; yet this may have to an extent ante- 

 dated the actual illness, since I have noticed similar conditions, 

 though in a lesser degree, while examining deer other than those 

 which had suffered from this disease. 



The essential element of contagion seemed entirely absent in 

 this disease, since no single case appeared in our numerous 

 species of European and Asiatic deer, although living under 

 identical surroundings and conditions, attended by the same 

 keepers, and at times in close proximity to ranges wherein ani- 

 mals had suffered. I would invite your closest attention to the 

 report of these cases issued by our Pathologist, Harlow Brooks, 

 M.D., who has had occasion to make special research in relation 

 to this most important matter. 



INFECTIVE COLITIS. 



Second in importance to gastro-enteritis, only by reason of its 

 having been confined to a lesser number of animals, but quite 

 as fatal, I would report our experience with infective colitis due 

 to the invasion of the Balantidium colt, whereby three orang- 

 utans and one chimpanzee were lost, and the sole remaining 

 orang was seriously and possibly fatally infected. 



The orangs ("Rajah," "Brunei," and "Sultan") and chimpanzee 

 ("Zongo"), which had enjoyed exceedingly good health since 

 their installation within the Park^ were first noticed to be slightly 

 indisposed upon the occasion of my visit on October 6th. Show- 

 ing diarrhoea on the morning of October 7th, they were removed 

 to an isolated room in the Reptile House, and treatment out- 

 lined by regulation of diet to meet their altered requirements, 

 and the administration of intestinal antiseptics and astringents. 

 From the coincidence of four cases similar in type, we suspected 

 they might have suffered a mild intestinal infection from the use, 

 in small quantities, of Scott's Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil, which 

 had been in stock for several months, yet seemed to be in a fair 

 state of preservation. 



