26 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
three hours at a stretch without being given half an hour's interval 
or rest in the shade, during which time the gear should be loosened, 
parts examined for galls, and a little water and some bundles of 
fodder presented. I consider it imperative for humanity's sake that 
employers should detail, whenever possible, a European assistant to 
frequently (at least three times a week) inspect and report upon 
the health of the animals, their physical capability for work, also 
the sanitary condition of their surroundings, and above all the quality 
and amount by weight of fodder supplied. 
When elephants are idle, it is essential that they have daily 
exercise, as they frequently fall out of condition from sheer want of 
it, especially so if under these circumstances ratibs be allowed. 
In some cases the daily journey for fodder will suffice. When 
however this is too short, and no work can be found, it will be 
necessary to give them a march for an hour or so in the early 
morning and the cool of the evening. In the hot season they should 
be rested between lo A.M. and 4 P.M. It is cruel to work them 
in the heat, and is also dangerous, as they are liable to go down 
with sun-stroke. Where there is work, and in a great many 
instances there is more than the animals kept for it can properly 
accomplish, the following system may be tried. Assuming that the 
gear is a good fit, that the parts where it presses are healthy, and 
the animal in other respects in full health and vigour, it will as just 
mentioned be conducive to the maintenance of both that he should 
perform a daily task, be it marching, dragging, or pushing. An 
hour or so morning and evening of continuous exertion, such as the 
animal can compass without evident strain, is about what might be 
demanded without giving any extra diet. The question of the 
amount of additional work he can do will then resolve itself into 
that of how many hours taken from his legitimate occupation of 
munching green fodder can we make reparation for by offering a 
more generous diet. This is a clear issue and makes the answer 
easy. We can by these means assuredly not more than double or 
treble the duration of the working hours. The healthy elephant 
with good treatment, liberal allowance of fodder, can work regularly 
for six or seven hours a day without injury. But the question just 
answered is in practice rarely ever asked. The more common 
question which too, for reasons assignable, we are bound to answer, 
is not what are the limits of fair work, but what constitutes overwork, 
particularly in respect to carrying. In a campaign sometimes these 
rules cannot be adhered to, for conditions may arise demanding the 
utmost strain upon the elephant's capabilities. It is useful to know 
to what degree ordinarily the powers of the elephant may be taxed 
within twenty-four hours, without depriving ourselves of his services 
