AN OLD PRISONER’S TRICKS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1930, Page 5

AN OLD PRISONER’S TRICKS

SWALLOWING PIECES OF METAL,

, SYDNEY,- September 11.-

The illness recently of . an ,old prisoner in the Bathurst gaol in New South Wales puzzled many doctors until aii.X-Ray-of his, stomach revealed eighteen pieces of wire, two blades -of a pen-knife,'and a piece of lead. Tins collection of internal complaints is now in the possession of Dr. Brook- - moore, who is the Government Medical Officer at Bathhurst and the gaol doctor. Their former owner w-as serving a long sentence, and it was his desire to secure a 'rest m hospital. ' After ho he had been in- gaol for some time he reported sick, and in reality he Was very ill. -He was examined by various doctors, who found 'it impossible to diagnose hjs complaints, 'The symptoms were altogether hew to them,' so the X-ray examination was decided upon. The pieces of • copper wire were from three to seven inches long, and the piece of lead was •three inches long. Enquiry* revealed that the prisoner had picked the wire of his dinner pail, had broken it up into pieces, and .had swallowed one piece after another. The operation that followed meant for him a long rest in hospital, and it was a rest lie enjoyed. He had‘-'the best of treatment and the'best o"f food and apparently 1 he thought that his idea was a good one. When he '.recovered he was , sent back to prison, but that was not the end of his vacventure. It was not long before-the old fellow reported sick again. He did not trick the doctors a second time, and the first thing that was done was to order an other X-ray examination. This time his interna? armoury consisted of eighteen pieces of wire, a pen-knife blade, and another piece of lead. Another operation was the result, and another nice long spell in hospital. Then back to gaol.

A few weeks elapsed and he- reported sick once again.. But on the third occasion there was no . operation, no rest in the hospital, ho white sheets and good food, As his .sentence had nearly expired he was discharged —wire and all!