New-York tribune., 1901-08-10
ALLIGATOR UNDER KNIFE.
ROPES, PRODS AND CHLOROFORM PRE-
PARE HIM FOR OPERATION.
HE FLIPs HIS TAIL AND EIGHT MEN
TUMBLE-TUMoRs CUT FROM HIS FEET.


TUMBLE-TUMoRs CUT FROM HIS FEET.
Big Nose, the thirteen-foot alligator in the
New-York Geological Park. was successfully
operated on by DR.. Frank II. Miller, of the
New-York Geological Society, yesterday for the
removal of two large tumors from the forefeet,
arter struggle lasting almost hour between
the saurtan and eight men. Even after Big
Nose was strapped and roped until it seemed
impossible for him to he would give a
twist, and snap would go the ropes, showing
that the enormous strength credited to him
was not myth.
The alligator has for a long time been troubled
with two tumors as big apples. which grew
on each of his forefeet. Last week he grew
ragged at a smaller alligator that accidentally
trod on of the spots and killed il.
Then 1t was decided that the tumOrs would have
to come off
AT p m preparations were begun to capture
Nose He was lying half in and half out of the
water in the alligator tank at the east end of
the reptile house when the water was let out.
This seemed to surprise him He lashed his
tail around and made a noise with his mouth
trat sounded like the blowing off OF a safety
valve on steam engine The eight attendants
that had gathered around looked a trife
anxious Four smaller aTigators were prodded
of the reptile house r. l. Ditmars, who forced
them to go up n steep bank at the side of the
tank. which led to a little platform arranged
for them. Then everything was ready for the
capture of Big Nose
The first step to slip a big bag gunny
sack. over the reptiles head The bag was put
on a long pole, and Mr.. Ditmars waited for
favorable opportunity to drop it over the ALI
gators head. This soon came and the bag was
securely tied with ropes. So far everything had
been easy and Big Nose had been docile enough
When the attendants attempted to draw moose
over his tail the trouble began.
BIG NOSE OBJECTS TO ROPES
Big Nose gave his tail gentle flip and the
eight attendants who had hold Of the rope fell
over one another. Then the big alligator grew
angry He twisted and turned and Jumped
around the tank until the attendants were al
most panic stricken. Then the superintendent
Of the park William r. Hornaday. who up to
this time had been locker on. jumped down
into the tank and grabbed the rope attached to
Moses tail. But the alligator was no respecter
OF persons He treated the superintendent In
exactly the same way, and very Mr., Horna-
day found himself on his hands and knees in
the bottom OF the tank
platform then brought in and placed
on the floor of the tank. The eight men stood
AT one end while Manager Ditmars stood at the
other end OF the tank. on the outside. and
proddcd the alligator with n pick Then Big
Nose made a mistake. II pushed himself along.
climbed on the platform and lay there. just
where they wanted him to go.
The attendants quickly slung ropes around
him and in a few minutes had the alligator. as
they thought bound hard and fast. But he
was not to be captured so easily He strained
r-lc4 ha he
bound him as II they had been threads but he
s,l remained the platform Other and
stronger ropes were sent for and at last. after
nearly an hours fight, the immensesauridn was
lashed securely.
Then the platform and the alligator were lifted
up and placed crosswise on two boxes so that
Or Miller. who was 10 perform the operation.
would have plenty Of room. This was no easy
matter. as the platform and alligator together
weighed nearly eight hundred pounds.
1t was found necessary TO chlorforn Big Nose.
he kept moving his feet and prevented DR..
Miller from Injecting cocaine into them. He took
three ounces Of chloroform before he succumbed-
SHAKES HIMSELF LIKE \ DOG.
At 80 o'clock the tumors had been removed.
The order was then given to unloose the ropes
which bound the alligator to the platform This
almost risky the tying had been
When the bag removed from Big Moses
head it was seen that he had come out of his
stupor. and his eyes cleaned wiCkedly.
When the last rope removed Big Nose
stood right up his feet, a very unusual thing
for alligator TO do, and shook himself as
a dog would do after having swim, Then
he walked off the platform and lay down at
one end Of the tank, perfectly quiet. Every
body heaved a sigh Of relief when il was seen
that Big Nose had no desire to cause any more
trouble. The tank quickly cleared and the
platform lifted out. Then the water let
in and in a few minutes the ailigators were
swimming around as If nothing had ever Oc-
CURED 10 disturb their peace and quiet.
Big Nose is of the largest alligators ever
seen here. He measures thirteen feet in length
and four feet at his widest part He was pre-
sented TO the New York Geological Society last
September. and originally brought from
Cocoa, Fla. About two hundred persons wit
messed the operation in the reptile house. which
was left open to the public.