Snake Bite Treatment

Since the hospital began a number of patients have been admitted after being bitten by a snake.

One Case from the North Australian, 28th December 1864:

“A case of snakebite has occurred in North Ipswich to a man named Cornelius Clifford of which I think it only just to the public to send you full particulars as I considered, under Gods providence, the treatment the man received, and the attention paid to him, saved his life. The man in question was bitten by what he described to me as a diamond snake. After a lapse of two hours he was taken to Dr Challinor who slightly scarified the wound and ordered the man to hospital, the patient was getting gradually worse, and so much so that the Reverend Father Goulding, who had been watching him from the commencement, considered it his duty to administer the last rites of the church, and to send for Dr K I O’Doherty, who promptly attended and immediately scarified the hand so deeply that the man lost a pint of blood. Brandy and ammonia were then administered, and the man, supported by others was compelled to walk up and down the verandah. Stupor again, came on, and it was found necessary for a period of an hour to strike him with a heavy whip across the back to prevent him going to sleep. The man was then left in charge of Mr Heeney, the house surgeon, who remained with him for the night. I have seen the man three times, and I believe him quite recovered. There are many quack remedies suggested for snakebite, that when a really serious case occurs, it is only fair to inform the public how it has been treated and the result.”