372 SELF-SUBMISSION BY ANIMALS TO 



nise and put confidence in the surgeons' voices and persons 

 as those of friends (Watson). 



Of an adult male elephant we are told, ' that the surgeon 

 might operate he readily extended himself on the ground, 

 and bore with patience the application even of burning 

 caustic. The acuteness of the pain would sometimes force 

 from him a plaintive groan. But, to the doctor who, by in- 

 flicting momentary torments, sought to accomplish his cure, 

 he expressed the liveliest emotions of gratitude.' 



The different effects of physical pain, the power of con- 

 trolling its expression and of quietly enduring it, are well 

 illustrated respectively in old and young animals the latter 

 becoming frantic and ungovernable, while the former bear 

 patiently, unresistingly, and as quietly as may be. The result 

 of the experience of personal benefit is shown in the mother's 

 treatment of her young one when it comes to require operative 

 interference by man ; she acts at once as assistant to the 

 surgeon, and as nurse to her offspring, the patient. The 

 mother elephant requires only to be instructed by man as to 

 what is desirable, in order forcibly to hold her offspring to 

 have its wound dressed, just as a judicious, strong-minded, 

 affectionate mother would treat her child under similar cir- 

 cumstances. The mother elephant has the sense to prefer 

 ultimate relief to temporary pain and inconvenience ; she 

 shows wonderful courage and self-control in the discharge of 

 maternal duty. 



Dogs frequently become surgical patients of man's, also 

 exhibiting remarkable endurance of pain, remaining motion- 

 less during operation, and allowing themselves to be confined 

 to bed during the tedious healing of wounds or repair of 

 fractures (Low). Moreover, all this endurance, patience, 

 docility, are not unfrequently exhibited by the most irritable, 

 unamiable individuals. 



A bull-dog that had broken one of its legs was placed on 

 a sofa, where he lay quietly, although naturally fierce and 

 unmanageable. When the fractured bone was pulled into 

 position, ' he closed his eyes with the pain, but did not other- 

 wise move.' When, in process of reunion of the fractured 

 ends, his limb was re-examined, he laid himself 011 his back 



