The Louisiana populist., 1897-02-26
NOT A WISE SERPENT.
Relieved Of a Blanket It Had Swallowed
in Kansas City.

Relieved Of a Blanket It Had Swallowed
in Kansas City.
On Sunday, August %. 'srhe STAR
told Of Mrs. Rade Hardan's pet Afri-
can boa constructor "Babe" having alb
sent-mindedly swallowed the banker
on which 1t had been sleeping. Since
that time "Babe" has lain in her box
thinking the matter over and putting
forth all her gastric powers to digest
the blanket. But the blanket being OF
good, stout Canton flannel, refused to
yield to digestion, and it became seri-
Gus question whether or not it could
stand the strain much longer. 1t was
determined, therefore, to perform q
surgical operation on Babe" and re-
move the impeachment.
At . o'clock this morning Babe"
was raken to the University Medical
College, and placed On an operating
table in a lecture room. 1t was ex-
tremely lively as to the first four feet
Of it's body, and heavy as TO the other
four feet. The amphitheatle was
filed with medical students, doctors
and visitors. Mrs. Harden stood by
Babe" and encouraged it to endure
the coming ordeal. DR.. f. Rosenwald
took off his coat, rolled up his Sleeves,
and announced that he was ready to re-.
lieve Babe" of it's burden. Babe"
ran its fOrked tongue in and out, cares
sing Mrs. Harden's cheeks and hands.
Even the medical students snudlered.
While Dr. Moore administered chlOro.
form to Babe" DR.. Rosenwald drew
rough plans and specifications OF
Babe" on the blackboard, and, al.
dressing the students in technical Ian
guage, explained that similar opera.
ton had never been performed on a
snake before, and that he would make
an exploratory incision' through the
abdominal wall, the peritoneum and
the stomach of the reptile, provided it
had them, and recover the blanket, If
ii was there. The students craned
their necks and regarded the prepare.
Ions with much interest.
Babe" had in the mean time re-
sponded gracefully to the chloroform,
and VIC insensible., An incision, five
inches long, was made in the snake,
ard hardly drop of blood escaped.
But the --arket was there, and was
drawn forth without trouble. 1t had
been rolled into cigar-shaped cylin-
der about two feet long, and was as
hal as brick. 1t was covered with
gastric juice, which was futilely en-.
deavoring to do its work. The blanket
looked as though it had .een compress.
ed by machinery. 1t had to be soaked
in water before it could be unfolded.
e stomach of the snaAe was as clean
as a whistle, and after the blanket had
been removed was as empty as drum
N.ne stitches were made in closing the
wound, and the snake was ,aken out
into the alley for fresh air. 1t was
soon surrounded by students, small
boys and colored women. In about
five minutes its lungs filled with all
and its forked tongue ran in and out,
and Mrs. Harden, who was anxiously
Watching 1t, gave sigh of relief.
I'm so glad my babe .4dn't diev'
she exclaimed. Il couldn't spare my
baby. I'd sooner have that snake
around the house than lots of men,"
I DR.. Rosenwald said that the snake
would surely recover, and prescribed
a diet of raw eggs for 1t for two weeks
after which it may eat anything except
CantOn-fannel blankets.
THE owner of the boa-constrictor con
ducts restaurant near Fifth avenue
and Wyandotte streets. She got the
reptile from a snake-chamer who
couldn't pay board bill.-Kansas City
Star.