EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT. 105 



During 1902, 227 deaths are recorded ; most of these cases came 

 to autopsy. During the past year the collection has been consid- 

 erably enlarged in the number of valuable species, yet the deaths 

 which have occurred during 1903 have been only 113; a notice- 

 able decrease in the mortality. We shall show further on in our re- 

 port that this decided diminution in the death rate has been mostly 

 in those diseases which may be characterized as preventable, and 

 it is certain that the great improvement has been due not to for- 

 tune nor to the fact that less delicate species of animals have been 

 kept this year, but chiefly, if not entirely, to the quarantine sys- 

 tem, the treatment of sick animals, and perhaps most of all to the 

 preventive measures which previous experience has taught us to 

 put into practice at the Park. 



Of the stock present during the past year, 503 were carried over 

 from 1902, and during 1903 accessions were added as follows : 

 hoofed stock 123, primates 47, miscellaneous mammals 60. Total 

 733. Our death-rate, therefore, gives a mortality of about 15.4 per 

 cent., apparently large, but when we consider the previous rate, 

 it is seen to be small, especially when we remember the nor- 

 mally short life of most wild animals. 



In so far as I have been able to learn from other reports, and 

 from personal observation, I do not think that we should expect 

 to markedly reduce the percentage below that reached this year 

 if the Society still continues to keep the same high-class stock 

 which they now carry. It is also to be expected, that from time 

 to time infected animals will creep into the collection, despite the 

 most cautious supervision, and we must therefore reckon on occa- 

 sional outbreaks of infectious and contagious diseases from which 

 we have been very free for the past year. We must see to it that 

 no laxity or carelessness on our part is responsible at any time. 



It is very significant that of our 113 deaths, 21 took place in 

 animals but very recently introduced to the Park. Seventeen of 

 these arrived in a moribund condition, a large proportion of them 

 were never placed on exhibition, and all 21 died within a few days 

 of conditions contracted before their arrival at the Park. Among 

 these animals were several expensive additions made to the collec- 

 tion. 



Equally important in this relation is the always imminent dan- 

 ger that animals may contract diseases of a contagious nature 

 which may not become evident until the stock has become the 

 property of the Society. 



