Evening star., 1914-11-09
The CIRCUS IN WINTER
QUARTERS
By Frederic J. Haskin.

The end of the circus year has come.
From every part Of the country long
trains OF tired, worn-out animals and
human beings are finding their way
into the haven of their winter quarters,
there to spend five months in recupera-
tion and preparation for the enthusiasm
Of the next years season. A few cir
cuses take no winter vacation, but
spend the cold weather months in max
country. The American circus has
lately been introduced into the coun-
tries of Latin America. and several
companies will embark for the south
ern trip this month. One large COM
pany will go to Australia. The ma
jority of the travelling circuses still de-
pend upon having long winter season
of rest.
A southern California town is the
winter home of one of the largest com
panies travelling through the west
The merchants Of that town SO appre-
ciate the additional business brought to
them by the encampment of several
hundred fine animals and the necessary
attendants and trainers that a carnival
is being planned in honor of the COM
pany.
The circus Of today is highly or
ganized business corporation, and Is
managed after the strictest methods
The winter camp consists Of only a
small part OF the company employed
during the summer circuit Each per-
son is engaged for some specific pur-
pose, and he attends to that strictly
Whisky is absolutely taboo in most
circuses. During the show season il
plays havoc with the nerves, and may
be deadly to the performer for whom
80 ,ot&
instant death to himself or some other
member of the company. In the winter
quarters the rule regarding drinking Is
scarcely less rigidly enforced. because
the care and training of the animals in
close confinement does not admit Of ir-
regularity of care1essness.
The most important work Of the winter
period consists Of doctoring and treating
the animals for
Animals Doctored any indisposi-
During the Winter. the the ,onx' useI baps T
travelling Of the summer At the Close
Of long season hardly an animal is
found in thoroughly good condition and
only the best veterinary science can re-
store the menagerie to good health. AS
assets of the circus, this becomes an i'm
portant matter.
A close cooperation exists between an
imal keepers throughout the world. Many
of the men in charge o the established
geological gardens in city parks have had
ira ming in caring for animals in circus
companies. Men who have been keepers
in geological parks less frequently enter
into the service Of circus company.
where their experience in the care of
permanently located an mails makes them
valua bic. Such a change gives to each
class of caretakers a knowledge OF what
others are doing in meeting exigencies
connected with wild animals held in cap
tivity. The surgical operations performed
call for much ingenuity as well as the
highest degree of surgical skill. Since
the animal is valueless if not cured,
greater risks are taken in operations than
are assumed elsewhere.
One o. the largest elephants in cir
Gus grazed her shoulder during the sum-
mer. A bad sore developed, which did
not yield to treatment. After being placed
in winter quarters it was decided that a
considerable amount of skin would have
to be grated on to close the opening. No
less than five young elephants were COM
PEELED to contribute an inch or more of
their skin to cure their afflicted sister.
Securing this skin was difficult process.
Each animal had to be securely chained
and their squeals resounded throughout
the entire camp as the surgeon went from
one to another slicing away a section
of skin with wicked little knife, while
his assistants quickly applied an anti
septic dressing to prevent the possibility
Of infection.
Animals become cross and unruly al
times, and those which are usually
most docile may refuse to perform
their tricks. Toothache is frequently
the contributing cause. During the
winter season the animals have their
teeth examined, and those in need OF
attention are cared for. Usually a bad
tooth is extracted. but in at least one
instance the tooth of an elephant was
filed. Lions and tigers often have
badly decayed teeth. 1t would seem
ingly require brave man to attempt
to draw the teeth from lion, yet 1t Is
frequently done without any risk, for
the animal is always securely fastened
in place.