Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-09-13
HOME FOR SNAKES.
Venom Institute Of San Paulo,
Brazil, Very Unique.
Poisonous Reptiles After They Are
Rendered Harmless Are Allowed to
Roam at viii In a Wonder
full Garden.

New York.-One hears daily OF char
table individuals with plenty OF
time and money inaugurating homes
'or various unfortunate types OF hu-
manity. but The most unique establish
ment OF it's kind is certainly the ven
ON institution of San Paulo, IN Brazil,
where a permanent and comfortable
nome is provided for poisonous
snakes.
The institute Is in a part of Brazil
noted for its superabundance OF ven
omous reptiles, where the loss OF lie
from snake bites became so serious
hat something had to be done by the
government to cope with the situa-
lion.
Large bands of men, wearing thick
boots, leggings |and gloves for protec-
/ ton against grassed districts round
about the institute. armed with long
. thin tubes, terminating in two semi
| circular claws, which are controlled
/ at the end nearest the body and can
/ be opened or closed at will.
BY this means they are able to
grasp the snake by the tail without
any danger to themselves.
AS soon as snake is caught in this
manner it is unceremoniously thrust
INFO a basket, where, together with
writhing,. coiling mass Of its brethren,
it is conveyed to the home.
A large conservatory containing
long rows of glass covered boxes, SIM
liar to the glass cases used in green
houses for growing tomatoes, is used
as a sorting place for the large guam
titles of reptiles which are brought
into the house every day.
Each case is labeled with the par
ticular species of snake it contains, sc
that when the days bag" is brought
in, it is a comparatively simple mat
ter for the expert naturalist to grill
,, each with the above described instru
ment, and, recognizing its species, pu
it in the proper receptacle.
+, The next stage in this queer plac
is what is called the operating table
Here, under the personal supervision
, of fully qualified doctor, CARRIED e1
, actly as the surgeons in the operatin
!. room of a hospital, with the Ion
/, white overall, fine rubber gloves an
so on, the snake is robbed Of its pc
:. son-termed "serum"-and rendere
/. harmless.
o One man grips the snake firmly b
d the tail; which is no easy task. for
a will wriggle and twist and turn in
a manner that would tax severely tn
.. strongest wrist; whilst the docto
L forces the jaws open with a surgic'
n instrument until he gets hold OF tn
a bag containing the poisonous SERUM
v A small glass dish is held direct
II beneath the bag, and the doctor pr
" ceeds to drain it OF its contents. Fac
10 snake yields something like 80 cent
,e grammes of serum, which, In appea
20 ance. greatly resembles ordinary mil
When the operation is over II
snake is taken away and placed In
IA large garden, from which escape is
r. matter of impossibility.
al or course, it would be more cru
IN to turn the poor, defenseless snail
a adrift into the woods again. for
IT, would be entirely at the mercy
ne his enemies and soon succumb.
h, this garden, which contains almo
~ everything Mr.. Snake would find
IN his natural elements, trees. shrut
Is. long, thick grass, pools and Il strea
~ where he may disport himself
es warm days. is provided by the ins
tute.