AN OLD PRISONER'S TRICKS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20040, 23 September 1930, Page 12

AN OLD PRISONER'S TRICKS.

SWALLOWING PIECES OF METAL. (noH on own correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 11. The illness recently of an old prisoner in the Bathurst gaol in New South Wales puzzled many doctors until an X-ray of his stomach revealed eighteen pieces o| wire, two blades of a pcn-knue, ana a piece of lead. This collection of internal complaints is now in the possession of Dr. Brookmoore, who is the Government Medical Officer at Bathurst- and the gaol doctor. Their former owner was serving a long sentence, and it was his desire to secure a rest in hospital. After he had been in. gaol for some time he reported sick, and in reality he was very ill. He was examined by various doctors, who found it impossible to diagnose his complaints. The symptoms were altogether new to them, so the X-ray examination was decided upon. The pieces of copper wire were from three to seven inches long, and the piece, of lead was three inches long. Enquiry revealed that the prisoner had picked the wire off his dinner pail, nad broken it up into pieces, and had swallowed one piece after another.

The operation that followed meant for him a long rest in hospital, and it was a rest he enjoyed. He had the best of treatment and the best of food, and apparently he thought that his idea was a good one. When he recovered he was sent back to prison, but that was not the end of nis adventure. It was not long before the old fellow reported sick again. He did not trick the doctors a second time, and the first thing that was done was to order another X-ray examination This time his internal armoury consisted of eighteen pieces of wire! a pen-knife blade, and another piece of lead. Another operation was the result, and another nice lone spell in hospital. Then, back to gaol. A few weeks elapsed, and he reported sick once again. But on the third occasion there was no operation, no rest in the hospital, no white sheets and good food. As his sentence had nearly expired he was discharged —wiro and all!