The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-01
POISON IS TAKEN
FROM 4 VIPER
Operation on Most Poisonous Of All
Snakes.
VALUABLE SERUM FURNISHED.
Scientists Obtain a Supply of the Most
Deadly known Poison From Snake
Captured in Wilds Of Brazils With
Great Difficulty One-third of Tea
spoonful of Poison Was Obtained.

New York Especially For the first
time in 80 years and the second time
in the history of the science of
medicine an operation for the extrac-
ton of venom from the deadly lance
head viper, said to be the most poi
sonous of all known reptiles, was per-
formed at the Bronx Geological Park.
The operation, which was directed
by e. w. Runyon, of this city,
through whose efforts the snake was
captured and brought to New York,
was complete success and as
result science once more has plen-
tiful supply of the serum which has
been found almost invaluable in the
treatment of extreme cases of in
sanity and also of many of the malig-
nant diseases.
The extremely powerful nature of
the lancehead's venom can be no bet
ter described, probably, than by the
declaration of one of the scientists
who witnessed the operation. When
the perilous task had been completed
and the precious fluid had been care
fully weighed and found to be less
than third of an ordinary teaspoon
full in quantity, he announced that the
supply was ample to meet the de-
mands of the world for at least half
a century.
He explained at the same time
that this would provide for the most
widespread use of the serum in all
the malignant diseases such as ty-
phoid and scarlet fever and diphtheria.
So powerful is the action that it is
prescribed only in the most minute
quantities, the largest potion COM
monty used containing only one ten
trillionth of a grain. From that
point the trituration continues down
to a, point where figures would be
useless in attempting to describe 1t.
The operation was the elimination
of years of painstaking trouble in
the course of which many obstacles
which appeared almost insurmount-
able were finally overcome. So great
is the dread of the reptiles among
the natives around the head waters
of the Amazon, where it is to be
found, and among sailors who know
of its dangerous character that 1t
was with the utmost difficulty that
specimen was captured and brought
to New York.
Those who participated in the OPP
Grafton were DR.. Raymond L. Dit
mars, curator of reptiles at the park;
DR.. St. Clair Smith, one of the lead
ing homeopathic of the country;
Headkeeper Charles B. Snyder, Of
the reptile house, and DR.. Runyon.
Those who had gathered around
the table expecting to see the deadly
@rN%~ %Ar
ly Gagged were thrown almost into
panic when Headkeeper Snyder APP
peared at the head of the passage
way bearing the writhing monster
at arms length on piece of slender
wire. They were treasured a mo-
ment later, however, when the snake
had been placed upon the table, his
head cleverly pinioned and DR.. Dit
mars seized him in a firm grip.
Holding the reptile close to his
body, with the head pointing out
ward, DR.. Ditmars gave the signal.
Keeper Snyder thrust into the snakes
mouth the receptacle which he had
to receive, the venom. 1t
was glass of unusual strength and
the wide aperture at the top had
been covered with piece of medi-
Gated gauze and securely nxed In
place. When the receptacle was at
a point less than half an inch from
the viper's nose there was lunge
forward SO quick that the eye scarce
ly could follow it, the mouth was
thrown open, the lips which covered
the cruel fangs were curled back,
and with snap the fangs tore
through the cloth, the jaws closed
sharply and the poison, enough to
kill thousand men, spurted harm
lessly into the glass.
The snake will be kept in captivi-
ty, and If he survives 1t is likely that
other operations will be performed
from time to time, and the future
supply of the serum made secure;
possibly for centuries.
Killed In Duel.
Pensacola, Fla Especially Frank