ULCERATION. 
and carelessness is to place the attendants on half pay during 
the period their charge is incapacitated from work. 
Ulceration of the Ear. 
This may be seen on the edges of the ear, on the flaps, or in the 
canal which leads internally. 
Causes. — Dirt, advanced debility and old age, or bathing the 
animal when heated, neglected tears and wounds. The condition 
is also met with sometimes in well-conditioned elephants, the tail 
being affected at the same time, and this may be due to eating certain 
grasses, or even grain food affected by a fungus such as ergot. 
Ergot is a fungus which grows on rye and other grasses and pro- 
duces gangrene, or a destructive ulceration of the lingers, toes and 
other extremities in human beings. It seems possible that this 
identical fungus or something similar may account for this condition 
which we see in these animals. 
Symptoms. — That form, seen on the edges of the ear, has a 
tendency to spread and the parts to become destroyed and thrown 
off, considerably reducing the size of the flap. 
That which is met with on the flap and sometimes extending into 
the canal, discharges profusely. When the canal itself is attacked 
there is a danger of the disease extending to the brain. 
Treatment — Is difficult in this situation owing to the perpetual 
motion of these appendages. The sore surfaces must be kept 
thoroughly clean and dressed on the lines already mentioned for 
ulcers. 
When the canal is affected, a syringe will be required to keep the 
parts clean ; no force should be employed and the canal must not be 
plugged. To insure powders reaching the ulcerated surfaces, they 
should be placed in a small bamboo, which when inserted into the 
orifice may have its contents gently blown in. 
Ulceration of the Tail. 
Ulceration sometimes attacks the extremity of the tail. 
Causes. — General debility or extreme age, though young and 
well-conditioned animals may suffer. A similar condition may be 
met with in monkeys, and I believe in the camel. 
Symptoms. — The hair is shed and the skin ulcerates for a vari- 
able distance up the tail. This destructive process is prone to extend 
to the deeper tissues, all of which may die and considerable portions 
