SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 119 



pitals or barracks^ and this condition now pertains to a large de- 

 gree in the New York Zoological Park. There are, however, 

 faults in the construction of quarters, particularly in temporary 

 buildings, which render disinfection difficult and proper cleanli- 

 ness impossible. It is useless to specify, for we are aware of these 

 flaws, and in the building of future quarters they will not occur. 



I ask a wider scope for the laboratory work in the Park. We 

 must have further facilities for the examination of blood, faeces, 

 and particularly of bacteriological cultures. We feel that these 

 methods will yield just as valuable and practical results in the 

 Zoological Park as they do in human hospitals, W'here we now 

 recognize them as indispensable. We must have reagents and ap- 

 paratus for the gross and microscopic examination of all diseased 

 tissues, and we must preserve in a properly conducted museum 

 such preparations as are of practical or scientific bearing on the 

 study of the diseases of animals. 



A library comprising the chief works on veterinary medicine, 

 comparative anatomy, pathology, and bacteriology should be fur- 

 nished, and the best journals on these subjects should be sub- 

 scribed for in order that the curators, keepers, and all connected 

 with the Park may become well informed on all branches per- 

 taining to the care of the animals. 



A system of preservation of the records of this department is 

 now being perfected, and it is to be hoped that these, taken in 

 conjunction with those of the other departments, may prove of 

 real scientific as well as practical value not only to ourselves, but 

 also to all interested in the study and care of animals. 



In conclusion^ I wdsh to thank the President and Board of Man- 

 agers for their generosity in providing facilities for our work, 

 and for their enthusiastic support. We are also indebted to Pro- 

 fessor E. K. Dunham, of Carnegie Laboratory, and others for 

 loaning us apparatus and material for our impromptu laboratory, 

 which we hope to replace soon with a thoroughly equipped estab- 

 lishment, a permanent addition to the Park. 



Finally, I wish to personally thank Director Hornaday for his 

 interest in this department and for his thorough co-operation. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



Harlow^ Brooks, M.D., 



Pathologist. 



