THE ACCIDENT TO MR L. L. SMITH.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 504, 15 May 1869, Page 3

THE ACCIDENT TO MR L. L. SMITH.

In the Melbourne Polytechnic hall, Shires is at present showing his snakes, and Mr L. L. Smith gives an illustrative lecture. On Friday evening, the hall was crowded as usual, and the " experiments " were performed. Two dogs were bitten, and one, having the antidote applied, appeared to recover ; while another, to whom the antidote was not applied, lay apparently dead. Mr L. L. Smith was describing the various phenomena to the audience, when the latter, prompted by frequent references made to the beneficial application of galvanism to cases of snakepoisoning, urged the lecturer to try and revive the apparently dead dog by similar means. Mr Smith, after some hesitation, consented; galvanism was applied, and, just as he was referring with unction to his successful application of galvanism to a Chinaman who was bitten by a snake and recovered by means of the treatment used, the dog came to life, and with a convulsive snap caught hold of the fleshy part of Mr Smith's hand and hung there for a few seconds. In an instant the room was in an uproar, and a babel of tongues urged the lecturer to apply a variety of remedies, but the latter, with characteristic coolness and pluck, pursued his own course. He tied a ligature tightly round his wrist, sucked the wound, applied Shires' antidote, and then set to work at the galvanic machine to complete the recovery of the dog, who, it may be said, was eventually restored to life and health. Mr L. L. Smith, however, speedily experienced all the symptoms of snakepoisoning, which were of course communicated by the bite, which was a deep one, causing much bleeding. Nausea, depression, and vomiting came in due course, and the patient feJt considerable alarm, for the dog had been suffering from tetanus when galvanism was applied, and he naturally feared similar consequences for himself. He took stimulants in the shape of brandy and champagne plentifully at intervals, and for some time they were partially vomited as fast as they were swallowed. Gradually, however, the symptoms subsided, and by 3 a.m. a considerable change for the better had taken place. Before Saturday was over the only remains of the accident were the mark of the bite and a slight amount of local inflamation. In the evening the lecturer resumed his place, and discoursed pleasantly upon the new theme and " experiment."