180 
THE DISEASES OF ELEPHANTS. 
This is to be remedied by the process called f chobing/ which 
consists in the application to the feet of a boiling hot mixture 
of a good many ingredients, generally resembling coal tar. 
Its principal component is the gum resin of the Sal tree ; but 
every mahout professes to have a mixture of his own, which 
he keeps a profound secret, and which it is as well to let him 
use so long as the desired result ensues, and it does not cost 
more than about five shillings. There is no doubt that the 
process is beneficial, the most foot-sore elephant getting round 
under it in about a week. It requires to be done about 
twice a year, if the animal is regularly worked on hard 
ground. 
“ In dropsical Zerbad the food must be reduced to a 
minimum, about 4 lbs. of wheat or 6 lbs. of rice : and if the 
latter be the diet it should be given boiled. No green fodder 
should be allowed, only dry grass or * Kurbee.’ A purga¬ 
tive should also be given; and the following recipe, which 
I got from a very experienced elephant doctor, is as good as 
any: 
Croton seeds .... 1 ounce, 
Calomel.lj drachms, 
Aloes.6 drachms, 
made into a ball with rice flour and goor* (crude sugar). 
Most elephants take physic without any trouble. In a bad 
case the swellings will have to be tapped. Many mahouts 
know how to perform this operation. The skin should be 
pierced about the middle of the abdomen, where the greatest 
quantity of liquid is usually collected, and a fleam of one and 
a quarter inch blade will be required. The fluid which 
comes out is said to be infectious to other elephants if they 
are allowed to stand near it. The root of the Mudar plant 
(Calatropis gigantea) is often given by the mahouts in this 
disease in doses of one drachm twice a day, apparently with 
good effect. This is also their great remedy in the more ad¬ 
vanced stage of the disease called Sukha Zerbad. It should 
be accompanied, however, by abundance of food, including 
green fodder and sugar-cane, plenty of bathing, and regular 
exercise. 
“ For Kandi in the foot, the horny sole must be pared down 
till the sinuses can be got at, and well washed out with warm 
water. The holes should then be filled with an ingredient 
composed of— 
Tar..1 part. 
Leaves of the Mm tree ( Melia Azidirachta ) . 1 part. 
Gum of the Salei tree ( Boswellia thurifera) . 2 parts. 
A piece of stout leather should then be fastened over the 
