The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-02-14
MISSED 6y A EATIIcR.
an Incident Recalled by DIR. Conklln. a.
the Park MenAcerie-

an Incident Recalled by DIR. Conkiln. a
the Park MenAs~rie-
II would rather almost treat any
sick animal in the world than sick
snake" said Dr. Conklin of the Cen
tral Park menagerie TO reporter the
other day. Not that ! mind handling
snake particularly, but on account of
the accidents that are likely 10 hap
pen.
"A few years ago." continued the
doctor, Il had an experience in treat
ing sick boa constructor that will last
me until the end of my life. We had
at that time a big cage Of boa con-
strictors and several poisonous snakes
as well in the lion house. Very often
q snakes mouth becomes sore, and it
is necessary 10 rub medicines between
its jaws TO save its life. prepared
some medicine and went into the
house one night with a new attendant
we had just hired This young mans
snake performer with a travelling
menagerie. The sides of the cage
were of glass, as they are now,
and inside were about forty
snakes Of all kinds. There were
dozen big constructors. a python or
two. and 81 re of rattlers, moccasins
and copperheads. As Joe began rat
Ting the door Of the cage the inmates
woke up, and when they saw the high:
they were ready for CHIT The sick
snake lay at the other end Of the cage.
The usual way in such cases is TO
throw rope moose over the snakes
head and drag him TO the cage door.
Then his head is drawn out and cover
ed with a meal bag or piece Of carpet
After that il is easy enough 10 catch
him back of the head. press open his
jaws and rub in the medicine. This
was done up TO the point where his
head should have been drawn out
through the door. The rattlers and
other small snakes We're twisted to-
gether in a souirming tangle in the
upper end of the cage, and the sick
constructor was threshing his big tail
about like dying whale.
Joe, and give it to him there. Iaint
Before could stop him he sprang
into the cage and grabbed the con-
strictor back Of the head, opening his
mouth yard wide. il seemed to me.
Then he took the bottle in his left
hand and proceeded TO rub the sore
spots. OF course he was busy watch
iSr T a his RRaSnhjs" at,san and S aisaq hayGss
ent with me. saw one of the biggest
rat,lers coiled for a spring. II he bit
Joe il would be certain death, and in
side of fraction oi "A second the blow
would be struck. My blood seemed
tn turn into ice water. My head SWAN
round and round, and my heart stop
ped beating. would have called out,
bu, my tongue was hot, dry and stuck
TO the roof Of my mouth. finally
manage TO spring toward the door.
AT that instant the rattlesnake dartcd
his head forward with a vicious
,pring. landing between Joe's fingers.
II the same instant Joe dropped the
constructors head and sprang from
the cage To the ground.
suck your hand, quick. shouted,
and here's some whisky. Don't waste
minute. man. Time is precious
Whats the matteri" he asked. as
though surprised at my conduct
Ma,,erenough. You're bitten by
RATHER.
Not quite as bad as that he said,
with little laugh. Il, hit the bottle
in my hand, I'm not touched. That's
nothing didn't think YOU saw it.
I'm not coward by nature" con,
tnucd the doctor as lie reached for
his hat, but felt as weak as baby
when Joe stopped talking. and the
next man who expects 10 So into a
rattlesnake cage with my consent,
mus, chloroform me first. New York
Ann