"ZOO "INVALIDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1910, Page 3

"ZOO "INVALIDS.

THE NEW ANIMALS' HOSPITAL

SETTING A DEER'S LEG

A large and savage rat recently found its way into the enclosure where the London "Zoo's" grey squirrels live. Before it could be-found and destroyed five of the graceful little fellows had been , badly bitten and* wer ( e discovered with angry wounds showing through their pretty bedraggled coats.

These squirrels were ' the first patients at the London "Zoo's" new hospital, a beautifully equipped, redbrick building just behind the reptile house, which has just started its career of usefulness. Just like the London or any other modern hospital, the floors are constructed of easily cleaned cement with curved corners. Ten airy, warmed cages are situated on "the ground floor, while tne upper part of the hospital is composed of two well-lit, cheerful wards with glass roofs, where the smaller birds and animals will be treated. Thither the little injured squirrels were conveyed, their hurts;-were dressed with antiseptics, and they are now almost fully recovered. In the Zoological Gardens, hitherto, it has seldom been possible to do anything in such cases, but to leavethe animal in its den, watched by curious, visitors, and allo^y nature to take its course until an expert's certain diagnosis of a fatal termination permits tlie use of the final kindness of strychnine or a millet. Now, in i warmth, quietude, and privacy, and under the constant eye of experts, the ''Zoo's" patients will have a vastly increased chance of recovery. I THE FIRST PATIENTS. The hospital's case book, so far, includes:— Five grey squirrels. One fox. Two kangaroos. ' One infant ibex. The fox went there afflicted with a painful canker of the ear. The savage little creature was secured by means of a noose on 'the end of a pole, which was gently pulled "taut." He betrayed no disposition to snap, so a muzzle was dispensed with, and the «ar was dressed as swiftly as possible. A disfiguring skin disease has attacked^ one of the kangaroos, and his .mat©.'iias been placed with him until it is certain she has not also contracted the same trouble. Had the pair been left in the cages they would have "nosed" their healthy neighbours in a friendly way and probably started an epidemic. Curiously enough, the baby ibex has also an affection of the coat.

_ Scarcely a single ill that we aresub3ect to but has its parallel among the beasts at the "Zoo." Many diseases, indeed, have been carried to them, by human infection—notably chest troubles and tuberculosis, which have been the scourge of the monkeyhouse. The higher the beast in the scale of creation the more liable it is to contract diseases from its human visitors. That is the main reason why the most man-like brutes—the apes—are wisely shut off from their admirers by great sheets of plateglass. Otherwise a single influenzastricken sneeze from a visitor might

place every chimpanzee and orangoutang on the sick-list. A weak heart killed "Lobo," the great grey American timber wolf. It was diagnosed early last year from his distress after slight exertion. An iron tonic mixed with his meat in pili form pulled him round wonderfully and he never refused his medicine! He died quietly during the night, and his widow, "Blanco," swiftly told the news with her wailing lament. Unnatural confinement was probably at the root of the heart trouble and an interesting parallel comes in the case or a flamingo which lived in the Three island pond. Her wings were unchpped, but she betrayed no anxiety to leave, till one day she swooped into the air, circled round two or threetimes and then collapsed and plum- | meted down dead. The exertion had proved too much for a weak heart | and the flamingo died just as a man with cardie trouble may die if he races tor a train. -~

A TAPIR WITH MUMPS. \isitors were recently astonished to XT between \ P^ and an elehS tI caring- * he, ayy white ne<*tlrd nl«t WaS 1»- re allty a mild mustard plaster, which was vtiea round - ter neck to alleviate a very^homely oomplamt-mumps. All the 2 toms were there, the glandular S \SK Sffoo^nHf ast««n (she refused ariftr^-itF about a fortnight or thre* weekf"" brSestuerwhil Sf doTh^ uplobe'fM f>, t enever she : use an embrocation he harT+l I chloroformed for each appStio! A imsm Surgical operations are not vwv thicker than a man's finger. Instep oi destroying the Httle^reature the gjfjf by the Sgical Society's officials determined to try and save the leg.: He Sd linen - bandages dipped in gum. TW set quite as satisfactorily as plaster of Paris without being so Heavy The intelligent little creature tookfcare of itself and, hopped about on three legs for a few weeks' until ,the expert, with a keen knife, cut away the bandage and found the leg:as good as ever. & fe"*"*

k-5 .feH 11 wi.n^ or a secretary bird and the leg of a Chinese pheasant have also been successfully ' n&tT lack of sufficient exercise, to keep them worn down to the right length. In these cases roping the beast and clipping the superfluous growth become necessary. In the case of Hons w leopards with ingrowing claws,, the operation used to be performed in this fashion: The paws were caught in running nooses and dragged to the bars, a. gag of wood was inserted in the mouth, and a pair of clippers did the rest in a few seconds. The effect on the animals' tappers- and nerves may be imagined. Now, however, the chloroform box (a size larger than that used for the lynx) is employed, and the savage creature knows no more about the operation than a dental patient under gas.

Men are still employed makingroads in the Eangitatau Block, about acres of which were felled by cooperative labour during the winter months, says The Post. The bushfellers have been gone some time now, but there are men in charge to see that no "burn" is started before the opportune time. It is necessary that the fire should be begun systematically, or else chaos will result. February is the usual month, and the bush should be dry enough and ready by that time. Ths department's intentions in regard to the cleared portions have not yet been announced, but it is believed they will grass them and generally prepare them for settlement. As the land overlooking the Waitotara River is generally good there should be strong competition for the actions. Each will, have .its area of bush waiting to be knocked down, year by year, as convenience demands.