SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 105 



the arctic regions where tuberculosis is unknown, with the similar 

 fate of the Esquimaux who were brought to this country by 

 Lieutenant Peary, all of whom contracted tuberculosis within a 

 few days after landing. The great rapidity of these cases, which 

 came under my observation, is most instructive in that it teaches 

 us to especially guard against the possibility of infections for 

 creatures coming from a widely altered habitat. 



In my last report I mentioned the presence of a tubercular-like 

 disease primarily affecting the gums of the reptiles and in bad 

 cases producing metastases in the viscera. It was intended that 

 a serious study of this disease be made during the past year, with 

 special reference to the determination of its nature and cause. 

 We have been very happily disappointed in not receiving enough 

 material from our reptiles to make this study possible; this is 

 most complimentary to the care which these animals have re- 

 ceived, for I believe this disease is one of the most frequent 

 causes of death among reptiles in captivity. I nevertheless very 

 much regret to state that Chicago has decidedly beaten us in the 

 investigation of this disease, for Dr. Evans has demonstrated the 

 presence of tubercle bacilli in the lesions, and has succeeded in 

 communicating the disease to other animals by inoculations with 

 the tubercular matter. I have been, as yet, unable to substantiate 

 Dr. Evans's work in the few cases of the disease which we have 

 had in the past year, but the condition seems to be thoroughly 

 established in his cases at least. I wish to acknowledge the 

 kindness of Dr. Evans, who sent me specimens from his cases 

 in which I have found numerous bacilli corresponding to the 

 tubercle bacillus. The past year's work has taught all of us to 

 modify our ideas considerably in regard to the possibility of 

 tuberculosis in cold-blooded animals, for the disease has now 

 undoubtedly been induced, either naturally or experimentally, in 

 both frogs and fishes, and we are all, I believe, growing to con- 

 sider the tubercle bacillus as either protean in its forms or capable 

 of undergoing great modifications in its biological possibilities. 



GASTRO-ENTERITIS. 



Although our past experiences and observations have taught 

 us much in regard to gastro-enteritis, nevertheless it still remains 

 probably the most serious problem with which w^e have to deal. 



Forty-three deaths have been caused by this disorder. Of 

 these deaths eleven have been of the ruminants, the most val- 

 uable animals dying from this disease. Seven members of the 

 canidie died from the disorder, but two of these cases were caused 



