90 Stable Management and the Prevention of Disease 



Elephants. 



The elephants used with troops are the property of the- 

 Government, and they are supplied by the commissariat at a. 

 fixed rate — about ninety rupees monthly for each animah 

 They are faster walkers than camels, and can go over any 

 kind of groundj climbing readily up and down steep places 

 where a man can follow with difficulty. 



One elephant can carry with ease two of the ordinary tents, 

 used by officers in India, one tent being a load for a powerful 

 camel, and even too heavy for him when wet with rain. 



The most common maladies to which elephants are liabl& 

 are fistulous wounds caused by galls, fistula in the feet, cracks- 

 in the skin of the legs just above the soles, ophthalmia, a 

 disease characterized by dropsical swellings under the abdomen 

 and chest, and a form of debility in which the symptoms are 

 great emaciation and sores on the skin. 



Both these last diseases are called zerbad by the natives ; 

 but as that name only means an evil poison, it gives no clue- 

 to the nature of the sickness. They are probably caused by 

 want of sufficient wholesome food, and by exposure to the- 

 sun ; for the best treatment is said to consist in feeding well, 

 sheltering them in sheds, and giving regular exercise. Tonia 

 medicine should also be given, such as sulphate of iron, one and 

 a half ounces ; chiretta, three ounces ; ginger, three ounces — - 

 mixed with boiled rice and the coarse native sugar called gur. 



Ophthalmia may be produced by exposure to the glare of 

 the sun, and is said by Captain Forsyth to be also caused by 

 feeding upon too great a quantity of the leaves of the pipal, 

 or sacred tig-tree, during the hot season, although they are 

 innocuous in the cold weather. 



Of course the same treatment is necessary as in other 

 animals, such as warm fomentations, sedative lotions, and 

 protection from flies and light. Should a purgative be re- 

 quired, give one ounce of croton-seed, and six to eight drachms 

 of aloes, made into balls with rice-flour and gur. 



Elephants are sometimes greatly troubled with worms, and 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



