A NOVEL OPERATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 686, 15 July 1914, Page 2

A NOVEL OPERATION.

Professor Woolbridge, of the Royal Veterinary College, has performed a remarkable operation at the Zoo upon the famous reticulated python which was deposited in the garden: thirteen years ago by the Hon. Walter Rothschild. The .python, which is the largest '/n captivity, had "the misfortune to fracture its jaw when making a hearty 'meal, and as it was impossible for the reptile to live many days in such a condition, en immediate operation was decided upon. To set broken bones in the,, jaws of a pythan measuring its length as nine yards was a- dangerous job, such a creature being capable of easily crushing to death any man coming'. within its colls. To obviate this danger,' advantage was taken of an opportunity when the brute was resting to cover over its tank with stour; boards, leaving a gap no larger than would permit of the- passage of the head. When the python's head did appear through this aperture, several men secured a firm . hold of it, and when the frantic' writhihgs of the maddened reptile had ceased, tho operator piaesd the broken bones in position, and bound the jaws securely w'lth a long bandage . smeared with plaster of Paris. Over this another coating of plaster was placed, care being taken that the nostrils were lsft free. Seven weeks will be , allowed to lapse before any attempt is made to remove the wrappings.