74 
VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
the after treatment would be dependent on the stages to which 
the injury reached. 
I have already occupied so much of your time that I will deal 
summarily with the third part of my subject, which is to give a 
few hints on the 
Selection of animalsfor working purposes. 
As elephants are, as a rule, all of one colour, we should natu¬ 
rally conclude it would be impossible to distinguish them, but yet 
it is a rare occurrence to find two elephants alike. There is a 
marked difference in the shape of the head particularly, the body, 
and other parts. 
I am now referring to the Indian or Asiatic breed. Those 
found in Africa seem to be quite another race of animal. The 
heads of the latter are very differently shaped—more allied to the 
Abyssinian. These lack the intelligence of the Indian elephant, 
are not so tractable, and certainly are not so well shaped for 
domestic purposes. They are all legs and no barrel, and the 
head is out of proportion to the general bulk of the animal. 
In purchasing an elephant you would, of course, consider for 
what use he was intended, as that might alter some of the points 
to be considered; but assuming the animal is required for the 
general purposes of carriage and draught, and for immediate 
work, it would be advisable to attend to these particulars. 
Choose a medium-sized one, say about seven and a half to eight 
feet high, having a large broad back and barrel, a good open 
chest, and a rounded massive head. A cow is to be preferred to 
a bull, as being more tractable; but for real hard work I should 
choose a mukhna. 
Then proceed to examine the animal's eyes, proboscis, ears at 
the roots, and extremities, the back along the spine, withers, and 
prominences of the shoulder and loins, the toes and soles of the 
feet (fore feet particularly). Next make the animal lie down, 
and examine along the floor of the abdomen and sternum, and, 
lastly, the tail. 
I should be guided as to age principally by the features, the 
whole look of the head, the tail, and appearance of the tushes. 
To examine the teeth would be a great trouble, and scarcely 
satisfactory; in fact, it would be of very little assistance. 
The eyes should be examined for the same reasons you would 
examine a horse's; then the trunk, because, if the animal was 
unwell or aged, the Schneiderian membrane would give indication 
of it, and the end of the trunk would have a mottled appearance, 
and the inside bend or grip be worn or cakey. 
The ears should be examined at the superior parts externally 
