GENERAL REMARKS.                        283

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, hæmorrhagic 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