NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
36
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
slabs of wood are objectionable, as urine, &c., runs down between
the boards, thus saturating the soil beneath. Several short stout
posts with or without ring-bolts should be planted firmly within and
without for the purpose of tethering the animals. Quarters should
also be provided for the attendants in connection with the sheds
in order to remove any excuse for absence from their respective
animals.
Elephants are often kept in stations without their presence being
turned to good account, and where facilities, not only for obtaining
their natural fodder and for bathing, but natural shelter also fail.
Much sickness, mortality, as well as current outlay, would be done
away with were the elephant depots to be moved to the nearest
place which offered natural advantages for the keep of the animals.
Some localities have been observed to be very badly suited for the
keep of elephants, in which nevertheless their services are required
for sorting timber, &c. Such places will generally be found to be
of a kind varying to the furthest extent from the conditions in which
we meet with elephants in their natural state. Perhaps none are
more objectionable than the daily inundated tidal marsh lands, where
the sheds are situated on patches of ground which barely escape
inundation.
In selecting camping-grounds it is essential that the ground be
sloping, the elephants should face with heads uphill, otherwise if
they lie down they might experience much difficulty in rising; care
should also be taken to see that the standings are not on uneven
ground, and that they are free from stones and stumps.
All dung, litter, &c, should be removed morning and evening to a
considerable distance from any standing.
Gear.
For timber-dragging, the harness in most general use consists of
numdah, saddle, girths, back sling, and chains, and to describe them
in order we will take first the numdah :—
This consists usually of the dressed bark of the bambwè
tree ©$ 0 Gg8co]o5 (Careya arborèa) in pads of about 3 by
4 inches in size. The bark is stripped from the tree in
one piece, and prepared for use by beating it with some
heavy instrument sufficiently to loosen the fibre, with-
out shredding it altogether, as with coir. If properly
prepared, a piece of bambwè so treated is made as
soft and pliable as jute, and very seldom causes a
chafe. The bark itself has also astringent properties,
GEAR.
37
which are cooling and hardening to the skin on which
it is directly laid. There are other barks used, name-
ly, shaw
(Sterculia ornata, versicolor and villosa),
all prepared in much the same way; but the first men-
tioned is more generally used. Over the bark is spread
a green hide or two, on which are placed the ohn-dones.
Saddles or ohn-dones (
), see Fig. 13.—These are
pieces of any light wood, about 18 inches by 4 inches by
4 inches hollowed out roughly to decrease the weight.
They are connected by ties (12 inches to 18 inches) and
of sufficient length to allow them to rest on each side of
the spine, and high enough to remove pressure from the
backbone itself, when the slings are in place.
Another variety of saddle in common use called a kwe-chee
(
) is alight frame-work, and it appears to be a mat-
ter of opinion, not unmixed with a good deal of feeling
with the workers of elephants, as to which kind of
saddle is the more comfortable for the animal.
Girths and sling.—The ohn-dones being in place, are
girthed on with a belly-band of woven shaw about 2
inches broad, and 15 fifteen feet in length, the sling
or gôk-see (
) is next adjusted. This, too, is
made of shaw-rope about 2½ inches in circumference,
and is of such a length that when doubled and laid
over the back, the two loops hang down the shoulders
to a height rather above the level of the chest. Through
these loops the ends of the breast-straps are passed,
and as the use of the gôk-see is mainly to keep the
strap in position on the breast without any undue
downward strain on the spine, it requires more or less
adjustment for each elephant.
The breast-strap, which after the chain is the most impor-
tant part of the harness, is made of finely shredded shaw
twisted up in two strands, each about the diameter of an
ordinary walking-stick, and woven on a rough loom.
The strap is about 5 inches in breadth, and finished off at
each end in a loop, into which iron eye-lets are fitted.
The length varies for different elephants ; it should be
just sufficiently long to go round the chest and pass
through the loops of the gôk-see clear of the shoulders,
so that the chain when hooked on, and in use, does
not interfere with the free action of the shoulders. The
breast-strap before use is softened with fat ; and as the
elephant's breast is well greased before work the strap
38
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
soon absorbs enough fat to make it soft and pliable.
This strap, however, even with care, only lasts from
three weeks to a month. The mahouts make the
breast-straps for their animals, and usually keep a fair
stock.
Chains.—For tuskers ⅝ -inch, and for females ½ - inch rubble
chain is generally used. The chains are fastened to
the breast-straps by means of large hooks, or by a
swivel-link, locked across the loop of the breast-strap.
The chain consists of two traces, one 14 feet long, and
the other 8 feet (to take an average measurement).
At the working end of the longer chain is a link suffi
ciently small to pass through the drag-hole of the log
and hook on to the short trace, which is fitted with a
strong stub-hook. It not infrequently happens that even
the larger-sized chains part under a heavy pull, and
accidents, though frequent, are not, as one might sup
pose, serious. It is rarely that any injury beyond an
abrasion results to the elephant; and the driver is
provided with a strap from the saddle with which to hold
on at critical moments.
The foregoing is sufficient harness for an ordinary well-trained
elephant; but it is occasionally necessary to supplement the gear
with backing chains and a crupper made of plaited cane for animals
given to jibbing and other tricks.
Other articles of elephant's equipment are fetters, soolay, and foot-
chain. The latter two are seldom used, except on runaway beasts
and confirmed bolters; they are only removed to be changed occa
sionally from one fore-foot to another. The foot-chain alone is used
in dry country, when the mahout would have difficulty in picking up
his elephant's tracks, and for animals given to wandering or straying.
In such cases 40 feet of ⅜- inch chain is tied to the fetter between
the fore-legs, and allowed to trail.
Pack-gear.
This is a most important subject and cannot receive too careful
attention. Unless the gear fits properly and is carefully adjusted
galls are likely to result and thus incapacitate animals often for
lengthened periods. This may be a matter of the utmost import
ance, for instance, when such animals are employed for transport in
warfare.
PACK-GEAR.
39
Different patterns have been devised from time to time, but there
is only one which can be recommended, and that is what is known as
" Sanderson's improved pattern, " and which is the pattern adopted
by Government. The subject of gear has been ably and fully treated
of in a Government pamphlet, edited by this well-known authority
on all matters concerning the elephant, entitled " Pack-Gear for Ele-
phants, " published by the Superintendent, Government Printing,
Calcutta, and which I would advise anyone employing-Sanderson's
gear to obtain. My remarks are chiefly quoted from this work.
The gear consists of the following parts:—
Guddela ... ... ... ... ...
Guddee ... ... ... ... ...
Iron saddle ... ... ... ... ...
Girth, complete ... ... ... ... ...
Neck-rope ... ... ... ... ...
Crupper rope ... ... ... ... ...
Iron pipe crupper ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
lbs.
45
100
60
20
4
2
5
236
(a) The "guddela" is a pad usually made up of layers of
soft numdah sewn together and covered with cloth and
is placed next to the body to protect it from abrasion,
and is about 4 inches in thickness.
(b) The "guddee" (Fig. 14) is a reed-stuffed pad, placed on
the guddela, and is furnished with a longitudinal open-
ing to receive the spine and protect it from pressure and
friction.
(c) The iron "saddle" (Fig. 15), which may or may not be
employed, according to the nature of the load.
(d) The "girth" is a stout woven belt of tarred seizing-line,
and a light chain for re-tightening. To the D of the
girth a cord is attached, which is passed through a
pulley shackle at the top of the chain, and by which
the girth can be hauled up when slack; the D is then
hooked into any required link of the chain, a short rope
attached to the top ring connects the girth with the
bobbins of the saddle. Tight-girthing is essential to
prevent the gear from slipping and the load from sway-
(e) "Neck-rope" (Fig. 16) is furnished with a loop at one
end and is partly covered with leather, which, I think,
should be under-sewn, not over-sewn, as usually is
the case. This rope affords fore and aft play of the
load.
40
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
(f) The "crupper rope" (Fig. 17) is also furnished with
a loop at one end, both of these ropes are secured to
rings on the saddle or tags on the guddee, and can be
re-tightened as required.
(g) The "crupper" (Fig. 18) is a piece of bent iron pipe
through which the crupper rope is passed.
I would urge that all gear be obtained as directed by Sanderson,
as follows:—
Iron saddles and crupper pipes from the Alipore Jail, Calcutta.
Guddelas, guddees, neck and crupper ropes from Superintendent,
Kheddahs, Dacca, or the Harness and Saddlery Factory, Cawnpore.
Girths from the Presidency Jail, Calcutta, as they have been manu-
factured at these places for some time, and been found to fulfil all re-
quirements. Moreover, I may add that they are constructed of such
excellent material that their durability far exceeds any other that
I am acquainted with.
The gear is made in six sizes to suit animals of different heights,
and the guddee may be obtained stuffed or empty. Therefore it is
only necessary to state vertical height at the shoulder when order-
ing it—
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ft. in. Ft. in.
9=0 to 9= 5
8=6 to 8 = 11
8=0 to 8= 5
7=6 to 7 = 11
7=0 to 7 = 5
6=6 to 6=11
Prices are as follows, as obtainable in Dacca or Calcutta—
Guddela ... ... ... ...
Guddee unstuffed ... ... ...
Iron saddle ... ... ... ...
Plaited girth with appliances ... ...
Neck-rope ... ... ... ...
Crupper-rope ... ... ...
One and a quarter-inch iron crupper, 30" long ...
Total ...
Rs.
23
4
18
4
0
0
1
54
A .
7
15
8
8
11
6
8
0
P.
1
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
The guddee rope, lashings of girth, neck, and crupper ropes re-
quire renewing annually.
A guddela lasts four years with two renewals of cloth.
Saddle, D's, pulley-chains, crupper, &c., will last ten years, and
the girth-webbing three years.
This gear must be frequently inspected, that is, at least twice a
week ordinarily, and when on line of march daily.
Guddela.—The chief points to attend to are the stitching of the
covering-cloth and leather chafing-pieces.
PACK-GEAR.
41
Guddee.—If thoroughly stuffed, and a guddee cannot be too
tightly stuffed; examine the underside for lumps and see that rope
tags and cross bands are securely sewn on and that the seams have
not given way.
Saddle.—Wrapping of lower bars and netting between upper bars
should be tight. The bolts at the end of pipes must be kept tight.
Girth.—If any fraying of the web of girth occurs it should be
stitched with twine. It must always be kept soft with some lubri-
cant. Neck-rope may become loose and must be relaid.
Instructions for Saddling.—The elephant having assumed a
kneeling posture the guddela, and afterwards the guddee, is placed on
the back. With many animals these have an inclination to move
backwards and forwards so that the guddee works beyond the gud-
dela and abrasions are thus likely to result. A careful mahout knows
his animal's peculiarity, and makes allowance for this when putting on
the gear. Constant attention must be given on the march to see
that they retain their relative positions.
Saddle.—The lower side-bars should be wrapped with soft rope to
prevent chafing of the load and girth-ropes, and a net-work of rope
should be woven between the upper bars to prevent small articles
falling through.
It is placed on the guddee with the bobbin-end in front, and must
occupy a medium position on the back.
Girth must be doubled, and the centre marked off with chalk
which mark must be placed at the middle of the belly while adjust-
ing. Correct the length of the webbing by holding chalk-mark in
position. If correct it should allow the iron D's to clear the fore-limbs
in action, but not to come so high that the pulleys may fall on to
the guddee. If the webbing is too long, or short, correct accordingly,
then hook the D's of the girth on to the lowest ring of the chains
on each side. Tighten the girth so that the rings may come nearly
home to the bobbins on the saddle, and see that the positions on
different parts correspond on both sides.
Fasten one of the short ropes attached to the rings to the near
or left-side bobbin of saddle, carrying it two or three times between
bobbin and ring and secure, leaving the ring about 9 inches from
the bobbin; lash up the other ring-rope as on near side, to off or
right-side bobbin and ring, and haul quite tight.
This is done by the mahout who stands on the guddee. Now
loosen the near side ring-rope, pull the girth as tight as possible, and
make fast. If properly adjusted both the rings should be nearly
home to the bobbins, the pulleys clear of the guddee, and the girth
throughout quite tight. Lashings may require to be slightly short-
ened in a few days when the gear settles.
6
42
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
To re-tighten girth on the march.—Pull it up equally and,
alternately on each side by the ropes attached to the D's and link
higher into chains, then pull D rope under the hooks on D's and
wrap round chains, or neck, or crupper ropes. The chains should
invariably be put back to their bottom links at next starting.
Neck-rope.—Loop into one of the front corner rings of saddle,
carry round neck and with the elephant's head raised pull as tight as
possible through the other ring, and knot.
Crupper-rope—Pass through crupper pipe, secure into rear
corner ring of saddle like neck-rope, make very short when descend-
ing hills or the elephant's withers may be galled,
Care of gear.
Guddela must be dried after being wetted by hanging it with
its length parallel with the ground. It should be rolled up at night
to keep from damp, white-ants.
Guddee should always be lifted off, not thrown off, as is usually
done, as this not only tends to shift the stuffing but strains the sewing.
It should be stood on end till required. Girths, neck, and crupper
ropes should be placed where they cannot become wet or soiled.
If as a matter of routine each part of the gear is always kept in
its appointed place near each animal, sets will not become mixed
and the attendants will know exactly where to lay hands on them at
a moment's notice. The excellence of this pattern gear which is
the result of many years' experience and labour on the part of the
late G. P. Sanderson, I can fully testify to, but my experience in this
country with ordinary mahouts has taught me to discard the iron
saddle when working in hilly country, as I found it next to impos-
sible to have the loads so secured as to prevent some backward and
forward play. Another fault necessary to look out for and punish
severely is, the habit that some careless mahouts have of placing
chains, &c, when not in use, on the spine in the trough caused by
the opening in the guddee after it is placed on the back and which
is purposely made to prevent weight and friction on the spine.
The Burmans, Shans, Karens employ baskets of various sizes and
pattern for carrying purposes (see Figs 19 and 20). They are cheap
and easily repaired, but quite unsuitable for military purposes.
Miscellaneous : Runaway elephants.
In Burma tame animals are constantly escaping and joining wild
herds. It is therefore well to know the law on the subject, as the
GRAZING.
43
question of ownership of such animals has often been raised in
India. The following case is quoted from Sanderson : " The fol-
lowing is a case on appeal decided in the High Court of Judicature,
Calcutta, in favour of the Government establishment that re-cap-
tured an escaped elephant.
" Plaintiff, a zemindar , alleged that he had the female elephant
in question in possession for six years, when she fled to the jungles.
He made diligent search for her, and reported her loss at the
nearest district police-station. He heard a year later that she had
been re-captured in the Sylhet district in the Government khed-
dahs. His claim to the animal being rejected by the Superintend-
ent of Kheddahs, he instituted a suit for her recovery in the Court
of the Collector of Sylhet. The Collector gave judgment in favour
of the Superintendent of Kheddahs on behalf of Government.
Plaintiff thereupon appealed to the High Court of Judicature, Cal-
cutta, but his appeal was dismissed on the grounds that such ani-
mals being originally ferœ naturœ are no longer the property
of man than while they continue in his keeping. If at any time
they regain their natural liberty, his property ceases, unless they
have animus revertandi which is only to be known by their usual
custom of returning or, unless instantly pursued by their owner, for
during such pursuit his property remains. In this case pursuit had
ceased, and the animal had returned to its natural and independent
state."
Grazing.
When elephants are set free to graze, during the day or night, care
should be taken to have each animal properly fettered, more parti-
cularly the males, as it not only prevents them wandering away for
miles, but may interfere with the males fighting, as they are apt to do
at times goring each other seriously. An unfettered small male has
a great advantage over a much larger fettered opponent; and cases
have occurred of elephants dying from the effects of such conflicts.
In the case of a fight between two elephants belonging to different
owners, one being fettered, the other free, the owner of the former
received a decree in Court for all the damage done to his animal by
the unfettered one. The degree of injury done by goring depends
naturally on the length, thickness, and sharpness of the tusks.
Sharp tusks will readily pierce the tissues, inflicting terrible
wounds ; but blunt ones, whether from pushing timber, or from
being intentionally cut, will in many cases cause contusions only,
the effects of which, however, may be of a very serious nature. A
44
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
case recently tried in Upper Burma will prove of interest to owners of
elephants. I therefore give it in full from the Burma Law Reports,
Volume VII, Part II, page 73, 1901.
" Civil Second Appeal No. 25 of 1900, May 7th, 1900.
Before the Judicial Commissioner, Upper Burma.
MAUNG KYAW DUN, Applicant. v. (1) MA KYIN, (2) NARAYANAN
CHETTY, Respondents.
Injury caused by animal, tame or wild—Injury due to owner's negligence—Liability
for—Proof of negligence—Proof of scienter—Necessity for.
A man should be liable for injury caused by his animal, whether tame or wild, if it is
proved that the injury was due to the owner's negligence.
Maung Gyi v. Po To (1) approved.
In that view it would not be necessary to draw a distinction between
wild and domestic animals. The point for decision would be whether the
owner was guilty of negligence or whether he used such care as in the
circumstances of the case was reasonable and ordinarily sufficient. The
amount of care required would vary according to the class of the animal
and according to its own disposition. It would not be laid down in this
country that a man is liable for any damage done by his elephant without
any proof of negligence or that he knew it to be of a vicious disposition.
In view of the manner in and extent to, which elephants are employed in this
country, such a proposition would be manifestly unjust—Filburn v. People's
Palace Company (2) distinguished.
"In the present case it was for the plaintiff to prove that the damage done
to his elephant was caused or rendered possible by the defendant's negli-
gence. In considering the question of negligence, the defendant's know-
ledge or want of knowledge that her elephant was of a vicious disposition
would be an important point. In a suit of this kind, where an animal like
an elephant is concerned, the burden of proving negligence is in the first
place on the plaintiff who avers it. It might be otherwise if the injury by
a tiger or a bear were concerned.
" White, J.—The plaintiff-appellant sued to recover damages on account
of the death of his elephant, ' Do,' which died from the effect of wounds
inflicted by the respondent's elephant ' Kya Gyi.'
" The issues which arise in a case of this kind have been stated in two
cases of this Court. In Maung Gyi v. Po To (1) it was observed that the
issue generally would no doubt be the usual issue as to the existence of
negligence on the part of the owner of the animal doing the damage. In
Maung Swa v. Maung Kyaw (3) points which arise in a case very similar
to the present were indicated. There has been some argument in this
Court on the application of the doctrine of scienter.
It is said that ' any
' one who keeps a wild animal, as a tiger or bear, which escapes and does
' damage, is liable without any proof of notice of the animal's ferocity; but
' where the damage is done by a domestic animal, the plaintiff must show that
' the defendant knew the animal was accustomed to do mischief (4).' Again
' a person keeping a mischievous animal with knowledge of its propensities
46
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
evidence, at least as good as that tor the plaintiff, that ' Kya Gyi' was pro-
perly provided with them. In my opinion it has not been proved that there
was any negligence on the part of the defendant and any prima facie case
made out by the plaintiff has been rebutted. I therefore hold that the
Lower Courts have rightly decided that the defendants are not liable ; and
I dismiss this appeal with costs."
Quicksands.
If an elephant, for want of being preceded by an attendant to ex-
plore the route, should chance to get into a bad quicksand or
quagmire, the best plan is to throw him large billets of wood or
branches of trees, which he can work down under his feet, until he
has obtained a sufficiently strong footing to extricate himself. On
such occasions it is dangerous to approach within reach of his
trunk, as he will seize every object he can for the purpose just
stated. It may even be necessary to sacrifice the load.
Mounting.
In order to mount an animal that is nervous of his keeper, which
will sometimes happen, if it be in dread of a wound being handled,
or dressed, or other cause, a good plan is to throw a rope over the
body, making a running noose, and haul it tight round the belly,
whereby to climb up.
Crossing Rivers.
The impropriety of taking an elephant into water, whether for ford-
ing or other purpose, or permitting him to squirt water over the
body when heated, has already been noted; a number of serious
ailments, of which cramp is not the least formidable, may follow the
disregard of this precaution. Before crossing a river, if the animals
be heated, they should be halted, allowed to cool and have their gear
removed. A good landing-place on the opposite bank should be
selected, and, if the river is wide or moderately so, and be in flood
due allowance must be made for current. It is always a good plan
to send in a well-trained animal with an intelligent driver to lead the
way, the remaining elephants should be sent in batches of twos or
threes. A rope should be tied round the neck, or round the girth
and a second rope attached, the free end of which the mahout can
hold when the animal is in deep water. If the elephants have had