The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-09
An UNGRATEFUL RATTLEsNAKE
Fixing its Poisonous Fsngs In the Thurb OF
the Man who was Feeding Him.

Mr., Z. M. Worth, the proprietor OF q
museum at 1O1 Bowery was bitten by one OF a
number OF rattlesnakes which he keeps for ex-
hibition while he was feeding the lot on Friday
night The museum ut 10l includes deep
room on the ground level and corresponding
basement. The snakes are kept in the base
ment. There are flfty-four rattlesnakes. two
black snakes or racers two garter snakes. and
o milk snake. They dwell all together in a
large box. which is covered by slanting
movable roof of glass. Mr.. Worth has been in
the habit of feeding them every day They do
not eat all at one time. but the food which Is
put in daily is always speedily devoured
by some OF tho number. The staple
OF food is raw meat cut In small
pieces. Sometimes the snakes eat mice.
Even in this warm weather the reptiles curl
themselves up all together in an intricate mass
In one corner of tho box. where they remain in
a sluggish condition. and seldom moye while
does not disturb them; II Is only when the box
Is smIartly shaken sfs IA, and they are thrown VIC
arated, and, assuming an angry appcarance,
rear their heads and dart forth their slender
tongues. Some Of them are now in process Of
OF being snakes that have been long dead n nd
dried. The box that they inhabit is about mid
way In the basement. on one side.
The museum closes at 10 o'clock. At about
IL o'clock Mr.. Worth went down as his habit
was, to feed the snakes. The long hall in tho
lighted. The snakes were dark and seem
ingly inert mass in one corner OF their box.
beeisteal. cut in small pieces. and contained
In saucer. He set the saucer on Il neighbor-
ing case. raised the heavy glass. cover Of tho
hand. and with his left hand dropped the
pieces OF meat. one by one. into another saucer
sn c S s'' Two or three po the ' SHAKES
separated from the mass. and lazily eN-
t sSndns the
transferred. noise IN the room above drew
turned bis head and listened. his left hand in
the mean time being, within the box. with a
piece of meat ,grasped between the thumb and
fore finger. In an instant one OF the rattle
the thumb Of Mr., Worth. 1t felt Mr.; Worth
ticed the snake the moment before turning his
head. 1t was one OF the largest of the lot. 1t
had crawed out from its fellows. and was lying
Of its tail being curved. and must have, bitten
lazily; without striking. as is popularity sup
Mr.. Worth at once dropped the cover Of tho
box. and ran up stairs. Henry Johnson. one Of
the employees at the museum. was there, near
the box Office. and young man who Is a fire.
9uent visitor to the place was with him. Mr..
Worth exclaimed that one Of the rattlesnakes
an ambulance Meantime Johnson TS RECALLING
tne popular remedy Tor ratucSnake bite.
sorssr Eeiox. and bSSsht t so' hal ali Iipi int
Mr.. Worth drank the contents OF both these
bottles. 1t was twenty minutes past IL when
he received the bite. and the ambulance ar
to the Chambers Street Hospital, His arm was
swollen. in a measure. when the physicians
came to examine him. but the worst effect OBJ
seryable in him was caused by the whiskey. to
which he was not used and which made him
dclirlous; The treatment which he received
stomach pnmp and sootbinS Bottoms 20 we're
administered The hospital, doctors said
that the efficacy of whiskey in such
cases was to keep up the, vitality. "A
certain amount only was needed. and the
trouble In Mr. Worth's case was that he drank
too much. He did very well Notwithstanding.
worse during the night; and yesterday morn
ing he was very comfortable At noon he was
removed to Belierue. where he now is. and
speedy recovery was promised.
Mr. Worth is strong man. As years OF age.
from strong liquors. and to, this and to his
generally robust habit the physicians ,ascrlbe
his, quick triumph over the poisonous bite. as
well as over the pernicious effects which he
experienced from the pint OF whskey.