Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-11-11
CASTING OUT SNAKES.
Remarkable sufferings of Man whose
Stomach Was Reptiles Nest.

About three years ago, writes a Will
Transport, Pa, correspondent of the
New York Herald. Mr.. John Longwell.
OF Charleston, Tioga county, began to
fail in health. He had always been a
strong, rugged man. weighing about
$50 pounds. For about two years he
kept getting thinner and weaker until
he weighed but 12S pounds. During
that time he experienced strange sensa-
tons in the stomach as if some living
thlng had taken up its abode there.
lie felt. or imagined that he felt, some
thing moving about in his stomach at
times. On the 10th day of September,
1855, this belief was confirmed. At Mr..
LongwelPs solicitation, and to humor
his supposed Authorization, Dr. G. w.
Webb prepared powerful emetic, hay
ing taking which Mr.. Longwell. after
suffering great pam and retching VIC
lentlv, emitted from his stomach two
live snakes, twelve inches and fourteen
inches in length, respectively. An ac-
count of the singular occurrence was
published at the time, but the truth was
doubted by many who did not know
MIR. Longwell TO be man of unim-
peachable veracity. About two months
subsequently to the vomiting of the
snakes Mr.. Longwell felt recurrence
OF the crawling sensation in his stomach.
Soon after that he was taken with
fits, during which his commissions were
horrible. These fits came upon him at
intervals of four to six weeks, and
lasted about an hour. He lost his APP
petite and became very thin. A milk
diet appeared to agree with him better
than any other, but he could not escape
the frequent yisitations of agony and
commissions. Three weeks ago last Sat-
urday Mr. Longwell had an exception
ally severe fit. which nearly cost him
his life. At that time ridge was OBJ
served on his stomach, and his attend
ants were convinced that another snake
was living within him. The SUPPOSE
ton was well founded, for Yesterday
afternoon at about o'clock, during an
attack which caused him untold agony
and left him unconscious for upward OF
an hour, Mr.. Longwell elected a garter
snake that was eighteen and half
inches long and fraction over one-half
inch in diameter. Mrs. Longwell, who
was with her husband at the time. states
that when the snake protruded about
four inches from the sufferers mouth, it
appeared to stick fast, although she did
not recognize it as a snake. Finally
the entire reptile was elected, but not
before Mr. Longwell in his agonizing
commissions had bitten it almost through
in three places. Neighbors rushing in
to assist Mrs. Longwell found the snake
in vessel where it had fallen. They
took it out and washed it.
Your correspondent saw the snake in
DIR. Webb's office to-day, and conversed
with Mr.. and Mrs. Longwel There is
not the slightest doubt of the entire
truthfulness of their statement. 1t is
supposed that in drinking from q pool
three years ago Mr.. Longwell swallowed
the ovum from which the snakes grow.
This is somewhat corroborated by the
fact that the reptile which made its APP
pearance yesterday is evidently of about
three years growth, and about one year
older than the two which the gentleman
elected last September All were COM
mon garter snakes. a species that
abounds in this region.
Mr.. Longwell is feeling better since
turning out his third tenant, but his
stomach is very sore. He feels natural
solicitude to know whether or not he is
still u peregrinating den of snakes. and
is also somewhat concerned to know
whether the family that colonized his
interior department has left progeny to
grow up and succeed them.