CURIOUS POISONING CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1091, 10 April 1883, Page 3

CURIOUS POISONING CASE.

Dead enakes are often carele«sly handled by people who hare a wholesome dread of the lire reptile. The fact that the venom procured from the poisonous fang of a snake retains its virulence for a loDg time is perhaps not so widely known (says a Queensland exchange) as its deserves to be. A wellknown gentleman, residing near Townsyille, has Htely been a severe sufferer, either from ignorance or forgetfulne»s of this fact. Mr Eiley, manager of GHeaooe Stud Farm, was demonstrating to pome of his employees a, few weeks ago the manner in which a snake injected its poison into anything it bit. He illustrated his theory with the aid of a recently killed make and the point of the small blade of his pocketknife. His scientific lecture being conduced he put his knife back in his pocket. Some hours afterwards, feeling distressed by a tickling sensation in his ear, he opened his knife and used the point of the small blade to allay the irritation by scratching. He unconsciously penetrated the skin, and inoculated himself with the venom which had evidently remained in a dry state on his knife. His suffering for a time were very great, and the comatose state produoed by the snake-poisoning alarmed Ms friends conoosiderably. Medical asiistance was at once procured and some relief afforded, but the case proved bo obstinate that Dr Stanich, of Sydney, was consulted, and suitable remedies telegraphed. A singular feature in the case is the fact that by some extraordinary means the poison was communioated from one ear to the other and both are now affected.