PART IV : THE PATHOLOGY OF THE ELEPHANT. 



CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION. 



General Considerations : The study of diseases of any canimdl 

 passes ttrougli phases of development. At first those people who 

 have charge of the patient in health deal with him under 

 disease, guided only by tradition and individual experience. This 

 empirical methodgenerallydoesmoreharm than good jit thwarts the 

 reparative eSorts of nature; it ignores sanitation and prophylaxis, 

 and it tends to the multiplication of Recipes. Next, the impor- 

 tance of the subject attracts the attention of some regularly edu- 

 cated medical men, who throw some light on the pathology of 

 afiections, make jyost-mortem examinations, and combat the use of 

 charms and potions in treatment ; but they have not the special 

 knowledge of Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, and Thera- 

 peutics necessary to guide them in treatment. So the practical 

 handling of disease remains in statu quo. Finally, scientific 

 and practical dealing with diseases of the animal is undei-taken 

 on the basis of accurate observation, appreciation of previous workj 

 and knowledge of scientific methods. Our knowledge of the dis- 

 eases of the horse long ago emei'ged from the second stage, and 

 is now a true and well established branch of science. Of the ox we 

 know less, but our knowledge of his diseases has been systematised, 

 and we are now making rapid strides on true lines of progress. By 

 this series of papers I wish to enter stage three of pathology of the 

 Elephant and to give a sound basis for future advancement, a point 

 d'appui for future eSorts. I shall show that although we kTioW 

 somethingabout the symptoms of diseases of Elephants, such know- 

 ledge is marked by a want of accuracy and exactness ; that we have 

 much to learn about respiratory sounds, pulse, chemical composition 

 of the body fluids, and internal temperature ; also it is evident that 

 the symptomatology of thisimportant animal requires to be worked 

 up with care. There can be no doubt now that the diseases of 

 elephants are as numerous, complex, and amenable to treatment 

 as those of other animals, but until their study is made on a 



