GENERAL REMARKS. 
carried out though it takes time and is usually an expensive process. 
Anthrax carcases should not be opened. Anthrax graves should be 
marked in some way, such as by fencing with rough logs, to prevent 
animals grazing over them or grass-cutters cutting grass over them. 
9. A guard should be placed over a grave for 24 hours to 
prevent Burmans who are, as is well known, particularly partial to 
elephant's flesh from removing the earth and taking any flesh. 
10. As later on it will be observed that certain diseases are 
common to other animals, it would be as well, before selecting camps 
near villages or grazing grounds, to ascertain from the villagers or 
herdsmen if such diseases as anthrax, haemorrhagic septicaemia or 
foot-and-mouth disease are or have been lately prevalent amongst 
the cattle, etc., and if so such localities should be avoided. If this 
is not feasible the animals should be tethered on the highest ground 
available and no strange animals allowed near the camp. Animals 
should not be allowed to graze in the locality. Fodder and water 
should be brought to them ; the former, if grass is given, should be 
cut well above the ground and rushes, reeds and swamp grasses on 
no account used. It is even better to restrict the fodder to boughs 
of trees, bamboos, etc. On the march, caravan and other tracks 
used by cattle-drivers and their camps should be avoided. 
11. In such cases, where it is deemed advisable to help to a 
correct diagnosis of disease, blood smears should be taken and it 
is well to be acquainted with the method. 
Method of making a blood smear. — Blood smears are made either 
on little slips of glass called slides, or on squares or circles of very 
thin glass called cover-slips ; these can be obtained from any chemist 
and all Europeans in charge of elephants should be supplied with 
them. Before making a smear one should see that the slips or slides, 
whichever are used, are clean and free from grease. To free a slide 
from grease it is only necessary to dip it in spirit and burn the 
spirit off. Before puncturing the skin wash it with some spirit, 
then pass the needle or point of lancet to be used through a 
flame and puncture. If blood is to be taken from more than one 
animal the lancet or needle should be cleansed by passing it through 
a flame before each operation. Wipe off the first drop or two of 
blood and then take up on the slide a minute quantity of blood ; next 
apply the edge of another slide to the edge of the drop, wait 
till the blood runs along the edge, then gently pull the wet edge of 
the slide along the surface of the first slide, leaving a thin film of 
blood on it. It must be borne in mind that a thin film is what is 
required, and to make this very little blood is necessary. When 
the blood is thoroughly dry on the slides each slide should be 
wrapped separately in tissue or other soft paper and then packed in 
