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Snake Charming

Snake Charming image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
October
Year
1893
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

liSnake has become a common thing nowaday," said a professional snake handler to a Philadelphia Times man after reading the account of DoC' SonweU'a mishap. "and the i danger about the work is just Bnfflcient to attract some people. Yes, there is always danger unless the poisonous fangs are extracted. It is almost impossible to charm, or rather drug some species of snakes so that they can always be depended upon. They are a treacherous set, and more so wlicn they have the poisonons fangs in their mouth. They know right away when i these fangs have been extracted. They seem to lose their pride and ferocity, and they will try to sneakaway rather than to offer defiance. I have known the iiereest diamond-back ever brought I from Florida to cool down as tame as a ! i lamb when the poison fanj,' was taken out. Most of the snakes handled by charmers on the stage are harmless so far as poisoning anyone is concerned. It should be a crime, too, to let those with the fangs in be exhibited. 'W'hat are the seerets of snake charming? Oh, well, they are simple - simpler than most people imagine. In the first place the snake has to be handled gorged with food so that it is sleepy and quiet. Then it is drugged so that its senses are dazed and quiet. Sometimes they are put in boxea contamina ice and the cold puts them into a semi-torpid condition. In eithercase the snake is very gentle and only half in possession of its senses. Then the snake charmer uses certain motions in handling the reptile, and by dint of dexterit" and strength the snake is easily passed from hand to hand and allowed to coil itsslimy lengthsoverarms, leg-s and body. The exhibitor, however. must be constantly on the alert. When the snake becomes too lively it is time to replace it in the box. The hand must always grasp it at certain places where the head can be guided and held from the body. This is the hardest thing the charmer has to learn, but it comes with practice. If handling a reptile with the poisonous fangs in one must be strong and in perfect health. Any nervousness or temerity might cost him his life. The grasp and movements must be precise and accurate. There isno room for hesitancy or uncertainty, and the strain on one's system during the performance is great. The charmer is really toying with death - and death in one of its most horrible forms."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier