On this day – 1904

Shoalhaven Telegraph. – 24th August 1904.
George Dent in critical condition after being bitten by snake.
 

Snakes are making an early appearance and evidently are vicious.
George Dent was bitten at Jervis Bay,  the victim was taken to Nowra Hospital for medical attendance,  and was in a critical condition for some time,  but after the strychnine treatment recovered,  and in a few days was out of danger.

 

From the Popular Science Monthly -1891
 

“The poison from the snake and the strychnine are thoroughly antagonistic,  and no hesitation need be felt pushing the use of the drug to quantities that would be fatal in the absence of snake-poison”.

  

There was a lot of hesitation at the time in accepting what seemed like such a radical treatment, using one poison to combat another,  but after so many people recovered completely after being injected with controlled doses of strychnine,  it became the recommended treatment.

This treatment was first suggested by Dr. Mueller of Victoria 1989
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