118 i\i:\V \URK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



and other infectious and contagious diseases may become dissem- 

 inated throughout the entire collection. This can all be pre- 

 vented by the introduction of measures which can be carried out 

 without, I verily believe, more expense than the cost of the ani- 

 mals we may lose in any year from these diseases. I would 

 strongly recommend, therefore, that no animal be admitted to 

 the common inclosures or cages until those animals have been 

 kept isolated and under the observation of the veterinarian until 

 he is fully satisfied that they are free from contagions disease. 

 It hardly seems necessary to defend this suggestion, but I would 

 like to call your attention again to the remarkable results which 

 have followed the enforcement of the similar rule which has 

 resulted in the absolute eradication of rabies from England and 

 Australia. 



Undoubtedly such a rule would involve the construction of 

 a suitable building in which this work could be carried out. This 

 building would preferably be placed in an obscure part of the 

 Park, and should not, of course, be open to the general public. 

 It need not be an expensive building, but in any case I believe 

 that it would be the most paying investment which the Zoological 

 Society could make. 



Such a building could be further utilized as a hospital to which 

 animals under treatment for contagious diseases could be re- 

 moved, so preventing infection of their fellows. I believe that 

 under the supervision of the veterinarian such a hospital could 

 be built for a very reasonable sum and yet possess all the nec- 

 essary appliances. I do not wish to be understood that I advise 

 that every monkey with lymphatic tuberculosis, for instance, be 

 removed from exhibition, but I do most earnestly insist that all 

 animals even so slightly infectious should be removed from the 

 cages of healthy animals. For example, a cage could be reserved 

 in the monkey house in which tubercular animals fit for exhibition 

 might be placed, careful means being taken to prevent infection 

 being carried from this cage to uninfected ones. Unless some 

 such measure is introduced tuberculosis is practically sure to 

 become diffused throughout the entire primate collection. The 

 observations of Dr. Blair have clearly shown that the disease is 

 communicated among the monkeys as in man, and these state- 

 ments must appear self-evident to any thinking man. 



DISINFECTION. 



Should be generally practiced in cleansing the cages of dead 

 or sick animals. This applies especially to the primate, lion, bird 



