Karl Patterson Schmidt was an eminent American herpetologistone who studies amphibians and reptiles.
He was also the president of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.
During his long scientific career, Schmidt handled countless deadly snakes.
Less that 24 hours later, he was dead.
Schmidt believed that accepting treatment would upset the symptoms he was documenting.
He wrote in his journal:
4:30 - 5:30 PM strong nausea but without vomiting.
During a trip to Homewood went on a suburban train.
5:30 - 6:30 PM strong chill and shaking followed by fever of 101.7.
Bleeding of mucus membranes in the mouth began about 5:30, apparently mostly from gums.
8:30 PM ate two pieces of milk toast.
9:00 to 12:20 A.M. slept well.
Urination at 12:20 AM mostly blood but a small amount.
Felt much better and slept until 6:30 AM.
After waking, Schmidt continued recording his observations:
September 26.
6:30 AM Temperature 98.2.
Ate cereal and poached eggs on toast and apple sauce and coffee for breakfast.
No urine with an ounce or so of blood about every three hours.
Mouth and nose continuing to bleed, not excessively.
Schmidts conditions began to turn worse after lunch.
He called his wife but by the time help arrived, Schmidt was struggling to breath and was unresponsive.
Resuscitation was attempted and failed.
Just before 3 PM on September 26, 1957, Schmidt arrived at the hospital and was pronounced dead.
His autopsy revealed extensive internal bleeding.
Today, the boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is considered one of Africas most deadly snakes.
The victim essentially bleeds to death.
Its hard to know for sure because at that time, no specific antivenom against boomslang venom was available.
Schmidt was one of the most important herpetologists in the 20th century.
References:# DaviniaPla.
et al,What killed Karl Patterson Schmidt?
