NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
CHAPTER III.
HYGINE :-GEAR
FOR
DRAGGING.
PACK-GEAR.
CARE
OF
GEAR.
SUMMARY OF GENERAL HYGIENE.
GEAR FOR DRAGGING.
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 bambwe
tree
(Careya
arbored) in pads of about 3 ft.
by 4 ft. 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 bambwe so treated is made as soft
and pliable as jute, and very seldom causes a chafe.
The bark itself has also astringent properties, which are
cooling and hardening to the skin on which it is directly
laid. There are other barks used, namely, shaw
(Sterculia ornata, versicolor and villosa), all prepared
in much the same way ; but the first mentioned 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. 6).—These are pieces
of any light wood,
about 18 ins. by 4 ins.
by 4 ins., hollowed out
roughly to decrease
the weight. They are
connected by ties (12
ins. to 18 ins.) and of
sufficient length to
allow them to rest on
each side of the spine,
and high enough to
remove pressure from
the back-bone itself, when the slings are in place.
Another variety of saddle in common use, called a
FIG. 6.—Elephant dragging saddle
in present use.
40
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
kwechee (
), is a light frame-work, and it appears to
be a matter 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 ins. broad
and 15 ft. in length; the sling or gok-see (
)
is next adjusted.
This too is made of shaw-rope
about 2½ ins. 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
gok-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. Its " hang" should be adjusted so as to
bring the chains and breast strap, when taut, in one
straight line off the muscles of the chest, quite clear
of the throat and not too low to cramp the free action
of the legs.
The breast-strap, which after the chain is the most important
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 ins. in breadth, and finished off
at each end in a loop, into which iron eyelets 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 gok-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
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 - in. and for females ½ - in. 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. In the
former ease care is to be taken that the chain is not
twisted before hooking up, otherwise the rotary motion
GEAR FOR DRAGGING.
41
of the twisted chain will chafe the animal's side and may
even dig the big hook into its shoulder.
The chain
consists of two traces, one 14 ft. long, and the other
8 ft. (to take an average measurement), but it is best to
determine the length of chain most suitable to its build
after examining the animal at work. At the working
end of the longer chain is a link sufficiently 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 suppose serious. It
is rarely that any injury beyond an abrasion results
to the elephant. 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 occasion-
ally necessary to supple-
ment the gear with backing
chains and a crupper made
of plaited cane for animals
given to jibbing and other
tricks (see Fig. 6A).
Description.
— A—A
ohn-done (saddle), C—C
saddle pad.
A belly band
of strong rope or chain (E)
girthed tight.
To this
attach the sling B, passing
same tight under the ani-
mal's tail.
Through this
weave the sling D (which
may be either of rope or
chain) over the root of
the tail and under the sling
B.
Pass the dragging
chains F—F through the
loops of D at G—G, and the
animal cannot then ordina-
rily get out of his harness.
For the sling D a pair of
fetters will often be found long enough. The shorter this sling
the better, especially for a wicked animal.
FIG. 6A.—Backing gear.
42
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
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
occasionally from one fore-foot to another. The foot-chain alone is
used in dry country, when the mahout would have difficulty in pick-
ing up his elephant's tracks, and for animals given to wandering or
straying. In such cases 40 ft. of 3/8-in. 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 impor-
tance, for instance when such animals are employed for transport in
warfare.
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 Elephants," published by the Superintendent, Government
Printing, Calcutta, and which I would advise anyone employing
Sanderson's gear to obtain. The following 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 ins. in thickness.
PACK-GEAR.
43
(b) The guddee (Fig. 7) is a reed-stuffed pad, placed on the
guddela, and is furnished with a longitudinal opening to
receive the spine and protect it from pressure and friction.
(c) The iron saddle (Fig. 8), 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, by which the girth
FIG. 7.—Sanderson's pattern guddee.
Plain.
Wrapped for use.
FIG. 8.—Saddle for elephants (Sanderson).
44
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
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 swaying.
(e) Neck-rope (Fig. 9) 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.
(f) The crupper-rope (Fig. 10) 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. 11) is a U-shaped piece of iron pipe
through which the crupper-rope is
passed.
(h) Loading rope, 80 ft. long.
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 the Harness and
Saddlery Factory, Cawnpore. Girths from the Presidency Jail,
Calcutta, as they have been manufactured at these places for some
FIG. 9.—Sanderson's pattern neck-rope.
FIG. 10.—Sanderson's pattern crupper-rope.
FIG. 11.—Iron pipe-
crupper (Sanderson).
PACK-GEAR.
45
time, and been found to fulfil all requirements. 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.
9
8
8
7
7
6
in.
0
6
0
6
0
6
to
to
to
to
to
to
Ft.
9
8
8
7
7
6
in.
5
11
5
11
5
11
Prices are as follows as obtainable in Calcutta :—
Guddela ..........
Guddee, unstuffed
.........
Iron saddle ... ......
Plaited girth with appliances......
Neck-rope ........
Crupper-rope .........
One and a quarter inch iron cru, 30 ins, 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-
require renewing annually.
A guddela lasts four years with two renewals of cloth.
Saddle, D's, pulley-chains, crupper, etc., 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.
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
46
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
on the back. With many animals these have an inclination to move
backwards and forwards so that the guddee works beyond the guddela
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 network 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 adjusting.
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 ins. 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
shortened in a few days when the gear settles.
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.
47
CARE OF GEAR.
Guddela must be dried after being wetted, by hanging it with
its length parallel with ground. It should be rolled up at night to
keep from damp and white-ants.
Guddee should always be lifted off, not thrown off, as is usually
done, as this hot 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 secure,d 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, etc., 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 reduce weight and prevent friction on the spine.
The Burmans, Shans, Karens employ baskets of various sizes
FIG. 12.—One form of howdah used in travelling by the Burmese and Shans.
48
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
and pattern for carrying purposes (see Figs. 12 and 13). They are
cheap and easily repaired, but quite unsuitable for military purposes.
SUMMARY OF GENERAL HTGIENE.
To maintain elephants in health, the following points should be
attended to :—
(1) Regular but moderate work—never work them except in
heavy shade during the heat of the day.
(2) Careful loading—never over-load or keep an animal
kneeling long to receive a load or standing under it
longer than is absolutely necessary.
(3) After working, pads should not be removed till the
animal cools down.
(4) Should any abrasion or gall be noticed, however slight,
the animal should be thrown out of work until such is
perfectly healed.
(5) Early feeding, with an ample supply of fodder, should be
insisted on in order to permit of proper rest.
(6) Regular bathing with vigorous friction applied to the body.
(7) Watered at least twice daily, after sunrise and before
sunset.
(8) Camping grounds should be on a slope, and care should
be taken that they are kept in a thoroughly sanitary
condition. During the hot weather elephants should
be picketed in shady places, and during the rains shel-
tered as much as possible.
(9) Particular attention to cleanliness and thorough repair
of gear.
FIG. 13.—Karen howdah for carrying grain.
CHAPTER IV.
MOUNTING. RESTRAINT. FETTERING FOR GRAZING. SECURING FOR
OPERATIONS.
BOLTING.
CROSSING RIVERS. QUICKSANDS.
DESTRUCTION OF ELEPHANTS.
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.
RESTRAINT.
For this purpose fetters, chains, and ropes are employed.
Fetters are of various patterns: those most commonly used
consist of short lengths of chain. A fetter is carried for each foot,
the fore-fetters are connected by a short chain like hand-cuffs, and
those for the hind-legs are also joined in a similar manner (see
Fig. 14). The fetters are fastened by means of a special link-hook.
Some elephants can undo this fastening; in such cases a peculiar
spring lock of native pattern is applied to fasten the fetter.
Many foresters employ these locks when they let their animals free
in the jungle to prevent their being stolen.
FIG. 14.—Chain hobbles for fore-legs.
4
50
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
Fetters made of plaited cane are more often employed by the
Karens. The fetter is a simple hoop of plaited cane (see Fig. 15) ;
when in position, it is
lashed between the legs
with a rope or thong.
Special fetters are
sometimes used, such
as the soolays; these
consist of three pieces
of iron, jointed and
fitted with spikes on the
inside ; the hind-fetter
consists of two pieces of
iron jointed and spiked ;
they are only used
on unruly beasts, or
when there is a chance
of animals stampeding
through fear, or on those given to bolting (see Figs. 23 and 24).
Tethering chains are of variable lengths and thickness ; they are
usually fitted with a stout iron ring at one end (Fig. 16).
Tethering. — Elephants are
often secured by one fore-limb
only ; both fetters are passed
through the ring of the tethering
chain, after which they are applied
to one of the fore-legs ; this
method allows the animal plenty
of freedom. Where space does not
permit, or when other elephants
are near by, the hind-fetters are
put on in a similar manner to the
fore, and the tethering chain
secured to a post or tree behind.
When masth is anticipated,
extra precautions are taken ; the
fore-fetters are applied, one to
each limb, and a tethering chain
runs from each to a tree or post :
so with the hind-legs; and in
animals known to be vicious when micsth, for extra security they
often have their fore-legs brought close together, and a long
rope is then passed round the limbs above the fetters in a figure
of 8, and secured between the limbs. Sometimes only one hind-leg
FIG. 15.—Fetter for fore-legs, made of cane or
strong creepers, used by the Karens.
FIG. 16.—Fettering chain, about 12 ft.
long, used for one hind-leg only.
[Facing page 50.
PLATE IV.
FINE SPECIMEN OF A COW ELEPHANT.
FETTERING FOR GRAZING.
51
is secured, in which case a rope is wound round the leg about
half-way up and tied; the tethering chain is applied above this.
For animals given to trying to throw the mahouts off, an iron
spiked chain collar is sometimes employed.
FETTERING FOR GRAZING.
When elephants are set free to graze during the day or night,
care should be taken to have each animal properly fettered, more
particularly 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 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 (see Appendix A).
SECURING FOR OPERATIONS.
As a rule elephants are very good about being operated on ;
they do not appear to mind being cut ; there are however many
troublesome dangerous beasts who require to be carefully secured.
The two more common methods employed are as follows :—
(a) The mahout should bring the animal up to a post or tree,
the fore and hind fetters and tethering chains are applied,
the hind chain is tied to a post or tree behind, the
animal is then made to bring his fore-legs as near as
possible to the post round which the fore tethering chain
is tied. The fore-legs are now brought together as close
as possible, and a long rope is wound round the limbs
above the fetters in a figure of 8 and secured between
the legs. The elephant is then made to place his hind
52
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
legs together, when they are tied in a similar manner to
the fore-legs, only much higher up (about half-way up
the limb) and a tethering chain applied. The free end
is secured round a tree or post.
To fix the head a long rope is taken : one end is tied
round the post and the free portion passed under and
over the neck and round the post three or more times
and carefully tied.
An elephant can shake a man off his back. To diminish
the chances of such an accident, take a long rope, pass
it round the neck and tie a knot between the shoulders ;
carry the free end under the tail round to the loop where
it should be knotted near where the first knot is tied ;
by this means it is almost impossible for a man to be
shaken off. This leaves only the trunk to be dealt with,
and any mischief from this source can be guarded against
by the presence of the mahout on the neck, and a man
or two below armed with spears.
(b) Fetter both the fore-limbs ; then take the tethering chain
attached to fetter, say on left leg, and pass it over the
neck ; the animal is now made to assume the crouching
posture ; the free end of chain is then passed through
fetter on right side, brought back over the neck, and the
operation repeated once or twice and the chain secured.
It is as well to apply a few gunny-bags over the neck, as
it is liable to become galled if the animal strains much.
These means are not sufficient to secure all animals for opera-
tion. There are some so vicious at
times that little can be done without
endangering the lives of attendants.
In the jungle and in Siam a
" break " or "crush" is sometimes
used (see Figs. 17 and 18). This
consists of a number of stout rough
logs set in a V-shaped manner. The
elephant is ridden or driven in at E,
and when he gets past the double
posts at B—B, posts (C and D) are
run through at A—A and B—B to
prevent his getting out, and to prevent
his backing. In this cramped posi-
tion he is unable to apply his strength.
It may on very rare occasions be
necessary to throw an elephant for the purpose of operation.
FIG. 17.