SNAKE VENOM TOO LATE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 110, 11 May 1936, Page 9

SNAKE VENOM TOO LATE

FATAL END TO QUARREL Desperate efforts to save the life of lan aircraftsman who was dying from loss of blood after a blow from a rol--1 league, wore described at an Uxbridge, Middlesex inquest lust month. The inquiry was on Aircraftsman Charles William Leaper, aged 20, whose home is at Lowestoft. Aircraftsman Frank Williams explained that on January 30 he was cleaning his kit in the barrack-room and borrowed a rag lying on Leaper’s bed. Leaper camo in, and called him a thief, accusing him of stealing the rag from his locker. There was an argument, and, Williams added, he struck Leaper on the jaw, knocking two teeth out. He had no idea that Leaper was delicate, for they often practised gymnastics together. Dr. Townroe, medical officer at the B.A.F. Uxbridge depot, pointed out that Leaper had contracted haemophilia (uncontrollable bleeding), a condition in which a trivial blow often caused excessive bleeding. All the latest treatments were adopted to save him, and four colleagues gave blood transfusions, “There were daily consultations with visiting specialists.” fhn doctor went on, “and after great difficulty we got a supply of snal:“ venom, hut it was too late.” Leaper d'cd from heart failure, follow ing excessive haemorrhage.