ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 121 



ai^tjrcj^ati' nunilur nl 'i>|>rr\s is Irssinini,'. siuli lius on tin- ishunl arr (.rows, wliicli stc-al to tlic 

 arc till.- ia\a.L,'(_s ol soutliirii j,'-iimurs and oiIkt ntsts while tljc parint hawks arc absent fishing 

 causes of death in tlie lar trollies. Their worst and lorthwith devour ei;i,'S and Miung birds. 



MONKEY WITH FRACTURED ARM. 

 .liar of w.wd prevents animal tearing off bandage. 



WILD ANIMALS IN DISEASE. 



/,'i W. REID BL.AIR, D. V. S. 



The care 111 wilil animals in zciolngical parks is usually 

 entrusted to "keepers" uf the widest experience that can 

 be obtained. These men, as a rule, are sympathetic and 

 intelligent — two qualifications requisite for a man to be- 

 come a successfiJ keeper. 



He who is most familiar witli llie appearance and de- 

 portment of a wild animal in health, at the various periods 

 of its existence, will most reatlily appreciate all departures 

 from the normal. 



The careful study of different species of animals through- 

 out their growth and develo])ment by one of good powers 

 of observation, and a reflective iiabit of mind, is of great 

 value. 



The difficidty in arriving at a true diagnosis is greater 

 in wihl animals than in the domesticated species. Where 

 docility is a pronounced factor, one arrives at a diagnosis 

 by a process of elimination: by the use of the thermometer, 

 the pulse, percussion and oscultation of chest cavity, and 

 otherwise handling the jiatient witlitmt causing untitle ex- 

 citement. 



The physical examination ol a few of the smaller ani- 

 mals — especially the monkeys — is comparatively easy; but 

 not so with one of the larger primates. An orang, baboon 

 or large macaque may be st> nervous or ferocious as to make 

 a physical examination not only extremely difficult, but 

 many times even impossible. Great care must be taken in 

 handling all members of the order of Primates, as they are 

 very sensitive creatures, of strong likes and dislikes, and 

 very good memories. This I have observed on several 

 occasions. One of them may be so treated that it would 

 be almost impossible fur the same person ever to succeed a 



seciiiiil time in examining him. However, if the subject 

 has the good sense to realize that no harm is meant, he will 

 usually quietly submit, according to his natural amiability. 



Before making an examination <jf a patient, the "history" 

 of the case is obtained from the keeper; and upon this 

 much depends. To the experienced it means a great deal, 

 anil upon it, alone, a fairly safe diagnosis may often Ix- 

 made. 



In man)' instances the disorder is readily apparent, and 

 the exact location of it detected. Coughing, and rapid or 

 difficult breathing point at once to the chest as the seat of 

 the trouble. In many other cases, much greater difficulty 

 is experienced. Patient watching, with a careful analysis 

 and study of each individual case, however, usually dissi- 

 pates all doubt. 



When an animal is ill. it is, if practicable, removed from 

 its fellows, whether its disease Ik- contagiutis or not. In 

 the former case the reason is obvious, but in all cases, 

 quietness and extra Comfort are needed. The patient can 

 be better observed, the symptoms more closely noted, and 

 the disease from which he suffers more clearly defined 

 when it is alone, .and left to the exercise of his own undis- 

 turbed will. 



.■\n important object in giving medicines to these animals 

 is to concentrate drugs as much as possible. It is best that 

 the animal shoidd not know that it is getting medicine at 

 all, so it becomes necessary to disguise the drug in some 

 way. 



Modern pharmacy has provided a large numl>er of pre- 

 parations for the practitioner of human medicine, which in 

 some respects are far more necessary to him who ministers 



