106 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



form. Warmth, a sunny corral or cage, and a varied nutritious • 

 and easily digested diet are important conditions. 



Inflammation of the Lips and Nose in Monkeys. — This 

 troublesome condition is quite a common affection among South 

 American monkeys, but the animals principally affected are, 

 sapajous, spider monkeys and marmosets. 



The disease is characterized by redness, swelling, heat and 

 tenderness of the lips, cracks, blisters and abraded surfaces sur- 

 rounding the mouth and nostrils. 



Causes. — These may be classed as mechanical, chemical and 

 microbian. 



The disease occurs frequently among those animals whose 

 cages are bedded with dry, fibrous hay containing vegetable irri- 

 tants, such as red and white clover, fungi or musty substances. 

 These substances acting as temporary irritants are usually the 

 starting point of an abrasion on the lips and surrounding skin, 

 and the inflammation is further aggravated by attacks of bac- 

 terial ferments. The bacteria present in the mouth, food or 

 water, would have had no effect whatever upon the healthy mem- 

 brane or skin, but as soon as these surfaces become denuded of 

 the proper protective coverings, the bacteria at once begin to 

 make serious inroads. The affection is also the result of fer- 

 mented and decomposed food, and of too hot food and liquids. 



Symptoms. — The lips are first red and inflamed. In a few 

 days they exhibit excessive moisture and later the formation of 

 blisters and scabs, which extend to the skin around the mouth 

 and under the jaws. The swelling may become excessive and so 

 painful that the animal will no longer attempt to feed. In severe 

 cases emaciation and weakness follow and the animal dies from 

 exhaustion. If the scabs are forcibly removed, raw, bleeding 

 surfaces are left exposed. 



Treatment. — These cases should be removed to a cage with- 

 out bedding, and the lips treated by painting with five per cent, 

 alcoholic solution of blue pyoktannin, or lead and opium lotion. 

 In mild cases, which have as yet no excessive scab formation, 

 saturated solutions of boracic acid are useful, and if applied sev- 

 eral time daily, will be the only treatment necessary. For sus- 

 ceptible animals, avoid irritating substances, such as clover hay 

 for bedding. 



