The Baboon Would Not Sleep

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 January 1949, Page 5

The Baboon Would Not Sleep

A Johannesburg doctor was recently asked to draw some of a baboon’s teeth. Six narcotic pills were wrapped in a banana and given to the animal to make him sleep. He ate the banana with relish—but remained wide awake. Another banana with another six pills was then given, but the baboon seemed as lively as ever. A third banana and a third dose of pills followed, and the animal showed his appreciation by stunting on the trapeze in his cage. Still he refused to sleep, and the doctor sprayed him with ether chloride. This also proved quite useless, so a grain bag was hurled over the baboon’s head and he was securely bound. Then the doctor administered two grains of morphia and poured a whole bottle of ether on to the bag. At the end of five minutes the babopn peeped out from under the bag and seemed to grin broadly. Finally, some friends were called in and the baboon was held firmly down while the doctor went to work as fast as he could. The next day the baboon was up and about, as lively and wide-awake as ever.