Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-07-11

Bite 81 the Rattlesnake Produces Various
Disorders OF the Human sgstem.

Bite 81 enc Ruttiesnahs Produces Various
Disorders OF the Human sgstem-
San Jose doctors have been greatly
puzzled lately over the peculiar de-
velopments in a remarkable case of
blood poisoning, the result of a rattle.
snake bite. Nearly three months ago
Fred d. Wieland, an Englishman, 46
years old, was bitten by rattlesnake
and for n time his life was despaired of.
The effects OF the venomous fluid were
finally overcome, at least to the extent
that the patients life was no longer con-
sidered in danger. But scarcely had
the pain and swelling begun TO sub
side than a large carbuncle began 10
make it's appearance on the back OF the
neck. 1t grew rapidly and in a short
time attained enormous proportions.
causing the sufferer most eXcruciating
pain. 1t was one evening in November,
1895, that Wieland, while handling n
rattlesnake in San Jose store, was
bitten near the end of the second finger
of the left hand, close TO the finger
nail. One fang struck the nail. while
the other penetrated the flesh deeply,
making a puncture like that of a darn
ing needle.
Wieland at once tied n string around
the finger and commenced sucking the
blood from the wound. The proprietor
of the place piled Wicland with whisky
and treated the wound with a patent
compound ofwhich he was the proprietor
and advertised extensively as warranted
TO cure everything from snake bites to
measles. Wieland suffered intensely
and early the next morning his wife
sent for a physician. He could afford
no relief and another physician was
called in to consult. All this time Vie
land was delirious from the effects of
the whisky. His hand and arm and
even his shoulder and neck were ter
ribly swollen and OF dark blue color
The bitten finger was purplish and
showed signs of gangrene. The inner
side of the arm from the elbow upward
soon became a dark purple and similar
patches developed between the elbow
and w-iEt. Finally cuts were made by
DIR. Johnston on the finger and arm and
a strong solution of permanganate of
potassium was constantly applied to
the limb. Remedies to ease the pain
and restlessness were also given. Next
day there were commissions, but on the
third day Wieland became more ration
al. The swelling subsidized slightly and
the pain was less severe and the convul-
sions became less frequent.
From this time on Wieland improved
steadily. The swelling went down. and
the discolorations became less marked.
On tho seventh day the patient was able
to dress and go about the house, al
though still very weak. 4 week later
he began to gain strength very rapidly,
and sensation of life had gradually
returned to the fingers, except at the
end and around the finger nail. at which
place sloughing occurred. On Deem
Der Is, or II days after Wieland was bit
ten by the rattlesnake, the finger was
nearly healed over, but an angry look
ing spot was developing on the back OF
his neck. An incision was made and an
antiseptic dressing applied. Soon after
the finger became a matter of secon-
Diary interest. for the spot on the back
of WielaEd's neck grew rapidly into
immense carbuncle. In a few days the
carbuncle had grown 10 the size of
goose egg and required constant atten-
ton. Incisions were made and diseased
matter removed and antiseptic dress
ings applied frequently. But in spite
of everything that could be done the
swelling continued 10 spread, and eight
days after its first appearance was as
broad as a mans hand and formed a
straight line from the back of the head
down the back, The pain was intense
and the patient was delirious a good
part of the time. Immense incisions
were now made in all directions. and as
much as possible of the diseased tissue
removed, while antiseptic dressings
were applied every hour. During the
next few days great masses of tissue
were removed and the patient then be-
gan to regain his strength. The finger
has long since healed and a new. but
deformcd, nail is growing in place of
the one lost during the process OF
sloughing.-San Francisco News-Let-