ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



1023 



INHALING MEDICATED STEAM 

 Broncho-pneumonia patient, 



difficult. The animal apparently recognizes 

 the difference between a friendly caress of its 

 keeper and the intentions of a group of 

 half a dozen men about its sides. 



As long as the party assemble under easy 

 observation and attempt no flanking move- 

 ments, all is serene. But if by a pre-arranged 

 plan, the keeper steps cautiously to the ani- 

 mal's head to engage its attention, and the 

 intrepid helpers make a quiet rush to carry 

 out their part of the contract, the whole 

 energy of the animal is concentrated in one 

 mighty effort to dislodge its fancied tormen- 

 tors. 



The party is scattered like chaff and in the 

 confusion that usually attends the first sally, 

 the prospective patient backs into a corner 

 and calmly awaits the next move. 



On several occasions, in her younger days 

 the African rhinoceros Victoria required 

 medical attention for an abscess that had 

 developed on the left jaw. She was astonish- 

 ingly mild tempered, but displayed energy 

 and activity out of all proportion to the esti- 

 mate of her strength. 



In the early stages of development of the 

 growth, she yielded readily to the surgeon's 

 knife and subsequent dressings. Several 

 operations at infrequent intervals reduced the 

 swelling, but did not arrest completely its 

 progress, although a perfect cure seemed to 

 be effected each time. 



A further recurrence of the trouble convinc- 

 ed the doctor that a more thorough operation 

 was necessary. Elaborate preparations for 

 the operation were made and a force of men 

 was assembled to aid the surgeons and their 

 assistants. 



It was the first attempt that had been made 

 to secure the animal, and we have never ceased 

 to rejoice in the fact that it was and has 

 been the only one. 



Seven veterinary surgeons, a professional 

 anesthetizer, a dozen keepers, ropes, patent 

 hopples, mattresses, pails, cotton, a varied 

 assortment of surgical instruments and ap- 

 pliances and two and one half pounds of 

 chloroform and ether were arrayed on one 

 side, and nine-hundred pounds of rhino on 

 the other. Victoria fought a noble fight that 

 morning, with malice toward none, and 

 emerged from the anesthesia groggy but 

 triumphant. Had it been possible, without 

 the slightest doubt she would have returned 

 thanks that the operation was a complete 

 success. 



It is a matter of wonder sometimes to com- 

 pare the class of accident and the type of 

 patient. Agility, grace in the most direct 

 antithesis of awkardness, and cleverness of 

 acrobatic excellence, characterize the move- 





CHIMPANZEE BETTY Willi FRACTURED III1' 



Slie made no attempt to disturb the bandage 



until the fracture had healed. 



