DEATH FROM SNAKE-BITE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 679, 23 April 1875, Page 4

DEATH FROM SNAKE-BITE.

(Pastoral Times.) There has been no event that has transpired in this district within my knowledge that has created so much sensation and so much unqualified regret as the death of Mr Bryce Sharpe. The melancholy and painful circumstances connected with his sad end have elicited sympathy from every one, more especially as he survived so long after ho was bitten by the snake. It was generally understood that, although the nervous system had received a very severe shock, and that time, and much care and attention with skill, would he needful to restore him to health or convalescence, a fatal termination was not thought of. Much surprise is felt here that the result was fatal, after that he survived for throe nights and two days. For general information I will give the particulars of the case. On Tuesday, Bfch ult., Mr Sharpe was engaged at Mr Crozier’s Anabranch station, ten miles from Wentworth, fixing and repairing the pump and piping. It was a very hot day, and he was very much exposed to the sun. During the night, he went over to the house from whore ho was sleeping, and inquired of Mr Forster, the manager, it there were any cats or puppy dogs about, because, in getting up to get a drink, something rushed past his log and bit his instep. As he was without matches, he could not get a light at once to see what it was. A light was procured and a search made, and nothing could be seen. He then thought he must have been mistaken, treated the matter as of no consequence, and retired to bed again ; but in about two hours, he again aroused Mr Forster, and said he had been very aiclq and had vomited a good deal; that his sight was very dim, and that be felt as if he were going to lose the use of his limbs. Mr Forster immediately commenced to give him brandy, and sent to the paddock for the horses, so as to send him to Wentworth for medical treatment. Meanwhile, a bed was put on the verandah and the patient laid on it, and doses of brandy were administered till the horses came up. He was then removed to Wentworth, and brandy sent with him for use on the road. Up to the time of his arrival at his borne the patient must have drunk a large quantity of spirits, which had no intoxicating effect, although a teetotaller. So soon as he was taken into his house the chemist was called in and Mr Goodwill sent for ; the former immediately scarified the punctures on the instep and applied the. ammonia. When the latter arrived he at once sought for the other doctor, Mr Gibson, a recent arrival in Wentworth, and they treated the patient jointly, hut only Mr Goodwill continued his visits till the patient died on Friday morning about 9 a.m., having been bitten on Tuesday night. Mr Sharpe, although unable to speak distinctly, or to raise his eyelids—he could see when they were raised—was in no stupor, as he could hear and understand what was said. He never seemed to rally, hut gradually sank, although Mr Goodwill pronounced him out of danger on Thursday evening. No intravenous injection was made, and although the Indian commission has condemned it, yet we hear occasionally of its success, and it is to be regretted it was not tried, notwithstanding the risk of phlebitis held out by those who condemn its use. Mr Sharpe, although 62 years old, was not a man showing any infirmities of age. He was a hale strong man, powerful, and cast in an iron mould. Mr Sharpe came to the Lower Darling at the time the late Mr Mathew Hervey owned lake Victoria station, and was a connection through marriage of that unfortunate gentleman.

An Auckland correspondent to the Otago “ Guardian” states that it is understood Sir George Grey is engaged in a correspondence with Mr Stafford, Mr Rolleston, Mr Fitzherbert, and Mr Macandrew, in order to lay down a basis for the action of an Opposition. Frenchman was one day remonstrating against the contempt expressed by Englishmen for French beef, the inferiority of which he could not admit. " I have been two times in England,” said he, “but I nevare find the beef so suporieur to ours. I found it vary eonveenient that they bring it you on leetle piece of stick for one penny, but I do not find the beef, superieur.” “Good gracious, sir!” exclaimed the Englishman, aghast, “ you have been eating cat’s meat for beef!"