The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
SNAKE STORY.
Reptile Swallowed "a Blanket, Which
Surgeons Cut Ont.
Kansas City Special.

Kansas City Special.
Mrs. Rade Harden, of Kansas City, owns
a pet African boa constructor that was OPP
Grated on by a surgeon a few days ago IN
order to remove from its stomach a nan
mel blanket. The blanket was one upon
which the snake had been sleeping, and in
a fit of Observation-Disclosures it had taken it
for some kline of delicacy and had swal-
lowed it.
For many days after this singular per
Torrance Babe lay in her box thinking the
matter over and putting forth all her gas
trio powers to digest the blanket. But the
blanket, being of good, stout Canton han
mel, refused to weld to digestion, and it
became a serious question whether or not
it could stand the blanket much longer.
1t was determined, therefore,, to perform a
surgical operation and remove the impedl-
ment.
Accordingly Babe was taken to the Uni
versity Medical College, at Tenth and
Campbell streets, and placed on an operat-
ing table in a lecture room. 1t was ex-
tremely lively as to the first four feet OF its
body and heavy as to the other four feet.
The amphitheater was filled with medical
students, doctors and visitors. Mrs. Har-
den stood by Babe and encouraged 1t to
endure the coming ordeal.
DR.. L.. Rosenwald took off his coat, rolled
up his sleeves and announced that he was
ready to relieve Babe of it's burden. Babe
run it's forked tongue in and out, caresslng
Mrs. Harden'S cheeks and hands. Even the
medical students shuddered.
z While DIR. Moore administered chloroform
to Babe DR.. R~osenwald drew rough plans
and specifications of the boa constructor on
the blackboard. and. addressing the stu
dents in technical language, explained that
a similar operation had never been per-
formed on a snake before, and that he
would make an explanatory incision
through the abdominal wall, the portion
cum and the stomach of the reptile, pro-
vided it had them, and recover the blanket
If it was there. The students craned their
necks and regarded the proceedings with
much interest.
Babe had in the meantime responded to
the chloroform gracefully, and was in
sensible. An incisiOn five inches long was
made in the snake and hardly a drop of
blood escaped. But the blanket was there,
had been rolled into a cigar-shaped cylin-
der about two feet long, and was as hard
as a brick. 1t was covered with gastric
juice, which was futilely endeavoring to do
it's work. The blanket looked as though it
had been compressed by machinery. 1t had
unfolded. The tomac of the snake was
as clean as a whistle, and after the blanket
had been removed was as empty as a drum.
Nine stitches were made in closing the
wound, and the snake was taken out in
the alley for fresh air. 1t was soon sur
rounded by students, small boys and col
ored women. In about five minutes its
lungs filled with air, and it's forked tongue
ran in and out, and Mrs. Harden, who was
anXiously watching it, gave a sigh of relief.
claimed. Il couldn't spare my baby. I'd
sooner have that snake around the house
thar lots of men,"
DR.. Rosenwald said that the snake would
surely recover, and prescribed a diet OF
raw eggs for it for two weeks, after which
it may eat anything except Canton flannel
blankets
The owner of the snake conducts a res.
t%aurant, and she got it from a snake
charmer who couldn't pay a board bill.