MAN GNAWS HIS OWN ARM.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12, 15 August 1911, Page 8

MAN GNAWS HIS OWN ARM.

♦ _ A young man, James Wilkins, who became suddenly demented at the Salvation Army shelter at Ballarat the other Sunday morning, owing to Ins drinking methylated spirits, was brought before the court on a formal charge of offensive behavior. The evidence given illustrated the shocking effects of alcoholism. Constable Duck gave evidence that when he entered the shelter at 2 a.m. he found Wilkins lying on his back on the floor in one of the bedrooms. His boots were off, but otherwise he was fully dressed. He had pulled up the right sleeve of his coat and shirt, exposing his arm, which he savagely bit. He gnawed and snapped off from his arm several pieces of flesh. Accused could not be induced to leave the refuge, and a vehicle was therefore procured, and he was conveyed to the hospital. When his arm had been dressed accused was placed in a padded cell at the city lockup, and subsequent-ly-conveyed by the police to the gaoi hospital for further medical treatment. Sergeant Beckman informed the Bench that the Government medical officer had certified that Wilkins was not fit to be discharged. Accused had Been convicted on numerous occasions. On one occasion he received a sentence of 12 months' imprisonment on a charge of being an habitual drunkard. The Bench fined the accused £2, or in default one months' imprisonment.