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Show 1884.] DISEASES OF CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS. 187 very uncommon. The larger Carnivora (Lions, Tigers, and Leopards) are exceedingly vulnerable to attacks of pneumonia, and Bears frequently die from this affection, due to the suppuration of the consolidated portion of the lung. The Coati (Nasua) is very liable to suffer from cavities in its lungs due to this breaking-down of inflammatory products, and on three occasions pneumothorax has resulted from the rupture of a vomica. Once I met with a Lion with such a condition of things, and, in addition, by some means the air had made its way into the cellular tissue at the root of the neck, so that the creature was " blown up " like a calf in a butcher's shop. With ordinary care there need be little fear that parasites may be mistaken for tubercle, but this does happen occasionally. By far the most important cases of tuberculosis remain to be described. For a considerable time 1 have been investigating tuberculosis in birds, in which the disease is exceedingly common. After a considerable number of observations I came to the conclusion that the disease had its origin in the food or at least in the alimentary canal. From the splendid series of researches which enabled Koch to announce to the world his discovery of the " bacillus of tuberculosis," it would seem that the specific nature of this disease depends on the presence of this minute rod-like organism. On submitting the viscera of the diseased birds to Dr. Heneage Gibbes, who is an authority in this particular department of pathology, he found bacilli by " thousands and tens of thousands." In December last we communicated these facts to the Pathological Society, and at the same time adduced the following facts as evidence that this disease of Fowls is in all probability infectious. I was aware that certain of the Carnivorous animals, of which the viscera had been examined, presented similar lesions to those observed in the diseased Fowls. Two cases soon came to hand/one a Paradoxure, the other a Felis eyra. These animals are fed on birds' heads and viscera, and as their livers contained " bacilli" it was fair to infer that they had accidentally contracted the disease by feeding on tuberculous birds. What the precise nature and origin of these organisms may eventually turn out to be, is of course very uncertain ; the matter is still being investigated and must for the present remain sub judice. The facts recorded in the preceding pages are the outcome of the post-mortem examination of a considerable number of the Carnivora. From January 1882 to February 1884 one hundred and thirty of these animals died, varying in size from a Lion to a Cynictis. Of this number I have had the opportunity of examining the viscera of nearly all, excepting now and then, when an animal of great rarity was required for dissection, and its anatomical value far surpassed its interest from a pathological standpoint. It behoves me in conclusion to offer m y very best thanks to the Society for the liberal use of so much valuable pathological material. 13* |