Mr. Drake, an Englishman, 50 years of age, was at Rouen on his way from London to Paris, with three rattle-snakes and some young crocodiles. Notwithstanding the precautions he had taken to secure them against the cold, the finest of the three serpents was dead on his arrival.
The two others, appearing very languid, were placed in their cage near the stove. Mr. Drake, thinking that one of them seemed dead, was so imprudent as to take it in his hand, and carry it to the window. Suddenly the creature revived, and bit him on the left hand in two places.
He ran into the court-yard, and rubbed the wounds with ice, and bound a cord round the arm just above the wrist. Dr. Pihorel was immediately sent for, and, at Drake's desire, cauterized the wounds in a manner which made the spectators tremble. Drake took half a glass of olive oil, and for a short time seemed easy, but fatal symptoms appeared, and he died in eight hours and three-quarters after the accident.
