Disease in captive wild mammals and birds : $b incidence, description, comparison

Beginning with a detailed account of how systematic post‑mortems were introduced at a major zoological garden in the early twentieth century, this work reveals a pioneering effort to understand the health of captive wildlife. The author describes the transition from sporadic examinations of prized specimens to a regular, data‑driven program that recorded hundreds of cases across diverse species, laying the foundation for modern zoo pathology.

The book then moves through every major organ system—heart, lungs, liver, skeleton, nervous system, and more—presenting incidence tables, comparative analyses, and insights into how diet, environment, and captivity influence disease patterns. It also covers parasites, neoplasms, and infectious agents such as tuberculosis, offering a rich reference for veterinarians, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the challenges of keeping wild mammals and birds healthy in human care. Listeners will appreciate the blend of meticulous statistics and clear explanations that make a historically significant scientific study both accessible and relevant today.