The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-19
CURED OF RATTLEsNAKE BITE.
A Simple Remedy That Is Said to Do the
Business Every Time.

A Simple Remedy That Is Said to Do the
Business Every Time.
Fort Jervis Gazette.
Alden Davis, Of Damascus, in Wayne county,
Pennsylvania. was bitten q few evenings since
by Q rattlesuake in the ball Of his thumb. A
cord was fastened tightly around the thumb to
atop the movement of the blood from the
region OF the wound to other parts Of the body.
Young Davis was then taken as quickly as pos
siole to the Office of DR.. Kemp. at Chiilicoon
depot. Having seen in Q newspaper q few
years since q description Of the remedy for rat
tlesnake bites as used by the Greer family at
Long Eddy, n. Y, DR.. Kemp made q careful
investigation Of the matter, and became con-
vineed Of the truth of the statement therein
made, and that the remedy was indeed all that
WAS claimed for il. He therefore advised young
Davis to drive to John Greer's as quickly as pos
sible, but first to partake freely OF rye whisky.
A bottle OF this liquor was obtained and the
horses head turned to he direction OF Long
Eddy, distant eleven miles.
1t was now late in the night. and as the moon
was down, dark. The road was . rough one,
but by careful and as rapid driving ss possible
the dwelling of John Geer. the famous rattle
snake catcher, was reached before daylight By
this time, in spite of the tightly drawn cord
around his thumb, the poison had made its way
into his hand, wrist and arm, which were badly
swollen. DAVIS had taken but two small drinks
OF the liquor. ana Geer promptly forbads the
use of more. saying its effect would be to in
crease the circulation OF the blood. and thus
spread the poison more rapidly. The effects OF
the poison seemed not to be entirely confined to
the hand and arm, but in some way was affect
ing the stomach. He had several severe vom-
iting spells. after which he spit blood freely.
Fortunately. Geer knew right whore to get
the violet, q sovereign remedy for the bite OF
rattlesnake. and. lighting a lantern, in five min.
utes' time had Davis eating its leaves. He then
applied salt and indigo to the wound, first taken
off the tightly-drawn cord. which. however. had
probably done good service in preventing the
more rapid spread Of the poison. Davis soon
began - feel better. The pain, which was erea,
sickness also left him. and, lying down. be
slept for an hour. when Geer awakened him ts
give him more Of the violet and apply q fresh
poultice.
At the end of twelve hours from the time he
came TO Mr. Geers, Davis started to walk home
though the swelling had not yet entirely disap
psared. Thinking he might be kept for severa
days. he had sent his horse home. Geer Ravt
him q quantity OF the remedy. cautioned him 4
walk slowly. not to 60 TO work, but use tn
medicine un til the swelling was entirely gone
and assured him he was safe from all evil ct
fects Of the snake bite as he could wish.
This remedy haS been known and used in thi
place and vicinity for over eighty years. 1t wa
first obtained by Joseph Geer. Johns father
from Q halt. breed Delaware Indian named Jobs
johnson, who used in $500 TO occupy q huto on th'
PsnnsylvaniA side OF the river oppotit,
Long Eddy, and who, for apint Of whisky, wsui'