Smyrna times., 1932-11-02
ACQUAINT FOLK
WITH SNAKES
DR.. William Marshall, Milford.
Assisted by Walter McGin-
mis-, Making Collection
BITE PROMPTED ACTION

A public collection of snakes and
other reptiles that inhabit the Del
Mar-Va peninsula is being made byI
DR.. William Marshall, Of the Mar
shall Hospital, at Milford, assisted
by Professor Walter McGinnis. Of
the Milford public schools. The
collection is primarily for the pur-
pose of acquainting local residents
with the different species SO that
they may be able to differentiate
between those that are of deadly
poison in their sting and those that
are less venomous. In discussing
the matter DR.. Marshall said that
of late persons in this locality had
brought snakes to his office in or
der to ascertain if they were cop
perheads, or of poison species. Most
of the snakes had been killed by
farmers who feared their presence.
It then occurred to DR.. Marshall it
this part Of the State a public col
lection of reptiles where residents
in the section where snakes abound.
might become familiar with the
markings and contour of the differ
ent varieties so that they might
distinguish them at a glance and
avoid unnecessary fear and dang
er. Dr. Marshall stated that when
he was boy there was no thought
of poisonous snakes in Delaware.
There were snakes and plenty Of
them" he said, but no one paid
any attention to their bites. All
snakes are more or less poisonous,
but in years gone by lower Della
ware was free from exceedingly
venomous snakes whose bite might
be fatal, but now there seems to
have been an influx of deadly snakes
in Delaware and it is well to ac-
quaint the residents of their pres
ence and characteristics. He said
that according to reliable informa-
tion which he had gathered in
many sections of Delaware, espec-
tally in lower Sussex county, the
deadly copperheads are numerous
and in some sections there is the
dreaded moccasin. The moccasin
is water snake and according to
information DR.. Marshall has OBJ
tanned now inhabits some sections
of the Nanticoke river in lower
Delaware The idea Of the public
collection of snakes was brought
to a head by the case of Captain
Edward Reynolds, of near George
town, who was bitten by copper
head as he grabbed bag of corn
in his corn-crib. He hovered many
days between life and death in the
Marshall Hospital at Milford under
the care of DR.. Marshall Serum
was obtained from Washington,
and he finally recovered. Since
that episode the idea of familiariz-
ing the residents with the danger
Gus species of snakes that abound
here occurred to DR.. Marshall. At
ter the biting of Mr.. Reynolds
many farmers in Sussex county
were afraid to pick tomatoes in
their patches for fear of being bit
ten by copperheads, especially
where they had seen snakes on their
farms and were not quite sure If
the reptiles were copperheads or
some other species. DR.. Marshall
through Professor McGinis expects
to collect many species of snakes
and reptiles. A request has been
| broadcast that all farmers killing
I snakes on their farms in that sec
/ ton of Delaware send the snakes
/ to either Professor McGinn!s or dl-
rect to the Marshall Hospital. Dr-
Marshall suggested that students
in public school of Milford might
cooperate in obtaining this collec-
ton. Several snakes have already
been obtained and these have been
canned in preserving fluid and are
now on exhibition, there. DR.. Mar
i shall said that the venomous
snakes that now inhabit lower Del
aware have been brought here IN
shipments from the South. Cop
perheads have been seen colled
o,o,,,d +be rode of cars in ship
ments of freight from the South
Boat loads of stone that have oeen
brought here and landed for con
struction work have been found m
tested with copperheads and otnei
snakes. These conditions, is Il oe-
lieved, now make the time ripe .
acquaint residents with the DANCE
and presence of certain snakes. Inc Inc
collection will be open to the puOllo
and it is expected to make II COM