The Gripping History of Snake Bites in Australia: From Colonial Times to Modern Day

From the moment European settlers first set foot on Australian soil, they found themselves in a land where danger could lurk in the most unexpected places. Among the myriad of unique creatures that called this continent home, it was perhaps the snakes that instilled the most fear in the hearts of these newcomers. Australia’s journey with snake bites is a tale of terror, tragedy, and ultimately, triumph.

Colonial Encounters – First Bites in a Strange Land

In the early days of colonization, snake bites were a terrifying prospect. Settlers, unfamiliar with the local fauna, often fell victim to the silent slither of Australia’s venomous serpents. One of the earliest recorded incidents dates back to 1788, mere months after the arrival of the First Fleet. A convict named William Waterhouse was bitten by what was likely an eastern brown snake (Mirtschin et al., 2017). His survival, attributed to the quick thinking of a ship’s surgeon who used a combination of local Indigenous knowledge and European medicine, was nothing short of miraculous for the time.

The colonists quickly learned to fear the “yellow snake” (likely the eastern brown) and the “black snake” (probably the red-bellied black snake). These encounters shaped early colonial life, with snake stories becoming a staple of bush lore.

Victorian Era: Snake Oils and Desperate Measures

As settlements expanded in the 19th century, so did encounters with snakes. The Victorian era saw a surge in snake bite incidents, particularly among gold rush miners who ventured into snake-rich territories. It was during this time that the infamous case of William Drummond unfolded. In 1867, Drummond, a police magistrate in Melbourne, demanded to be bitten by a tiger snake during a public demonstration by a showman named Shires. Convinced that Shires was a fraud, Drummond’s bravado cost him his life. Shires was later acquitted of manslaughter, as he had been denied the opportunity to treat Drummond with his home-made antivenom.

The desperation for remedies led to a booming trade in “snake oils” and dubious cures. One popular treatment involved applying a “black stone” to the bite, which was believed to draw out the venom. Others swore by the efficacy of strychnine or copious amounts of brandy. In 1875, a Mrs. Falconer from Swan Hill, Victoria, was treated by injecting ammonia after a tiger snake bite. She died 50 hours later, highlighting the ineffectiveness of many contemporary treatments.

Turn of the Century – The Dawn of Scientific Understanding

The turn of the century brought new hope in the fight against snake bites. In 1906, Dr. Frank Tidswell began experimenting with snake antivenoms at Sydney’s Board of Health. However, it was the work of Dr. Charles Kellaway in the 1920s that truly revolutionized snake bite treatment in Australia.

Yet, even as scientific understanding grew, the allure of snake handling proved fatal for many. The early 20th century saw a spate of deaths among snake showmen and handlers. In March 1920, Teresa Caton, a 26-year-old carnival girl in Sydney, died after being bitten while ‘playing’ with snakes belonging to showman Thomas Wanless. Despite immediate first aid and the application of Wanless’ antidote, Caton’s refusal of further treatment until 12 hours after the bite proved fatal.

Mid-20th Century – Sacrifice for Science

One of the most compelling stories from this era is that of Kevin Budden, a young herpetologist who made the ultimate sacrifice for science. In July 1950, Budden captured a taipan – then considered the world’s most venomous snake – intending to milk it for antivenom research. Tragically, he was bitten in the process and died 27 hours later in Cairns, Queensland. His sacrifice was not in vain; the snake he caught was used to develop the first taipan antivenom, saving countless lives in the years to come.

Modern Era – Turning the Tide

The latter half of the 20th century saw remarkable and swift advancements in snake bite treatment. The Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (now CSL Limited) began producing a range of antivenoms, dramatically reducing snake bite fatalities. From an average of 13 deaths per year in the 1940s, fatalities dropped to just 2-3 per year by the 1980s.

Today, Australia leads the world in snake bite management. The development of pressure-immobilization bandaging techniques by Struan Sutherland in the 1970s provided a simple yet effective first-aid measure. Modern polyvalent antivenoms can treat bites from multiple species, further improving outcomes.

Yet, snake encounters continue to captivate the public imagination. In 2018, a Victorian farmer made headlines when he used his pocket knife to kill a snake that had latched onto his leg. He then drove himself to the hospital, snake in tow, in a story that echoes the resilience of those early colonists.

Snake Bite Deaths in Australia (2000-2016)

1. On average, 2.2 deaths per year were attributed to snake bites.
2. 35 deaths were recorded over the 16-year period.
3. 74% of victims were male (25 out of 35 cases).
4. Victims ranged from 1.5 to 70 years old, with a median age of 46.5 years.

Location of Incidents

• 54% of bites occurred at the victim’s residence
• 17 cases were in urban environments

Time to Death

• Varied widely, from 1 hour to 19 days after the bite.

Direct Causes of Death

• Snake bite/envenoming (16 cases)
• Multiple organ failure (3 cases)
• Intracerebral haemorrhage (2 cases)
• Cerebral hypoxia or anoxia (3 cases)
• Cardiac arrest (1 case)
• Complications of snake bite (3 cases)
• Brain stem death (1 case)

Misdiagnosis – 4 cases were initially misdiagnosed as other conditions (hyperthermia, stroke, gastroenteritis, and a horse accident).

The death rate has remained steady for over 20 years.

While often considered a ‘rural issue’, a significant number of bites occurred in urban settings.

The study confirms that death from snake bite remains rare in Australia. The study suggests a nationally coordinated effort to review envenoming in Australia to inform education and resource allocation.

Ongoing Challenges and Unusual Cases

Despite advances in treatment, snake bites continue to pose a threat. In recent years, several unusual cases have highlighted the ongoing danger:

1. In October 2018, Harry Evans, a 23-year-old British man, became the first person to die from a sea snake bite in Australian waters since 1935. He was bitten while pulling in a net off the coast of the Northern Territory.

2. In December 2018, 20-year-old Callum Edwards died after being bitten by a tiger snake at a music festival in Victoria. Initially suspected to be a drug overdose, his case underscores the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis.

3. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t halt snake activity. In September 2020, Timote Ongosia, a 40-year-old Tongan fruit picker, died after being bitten by an eastern brown snake in Queensland, highlighting the risks faced by agricultural workers.

A Venomous Legacy

Australia’s history with snake bites is more than a medical chronicle; it’s a story of human endurance, scientific progress, and respect for nature. From the terror of early colonial encounters to the world-leading treatments of today, the nation’s journey with its venomous inhabitants reflects a broader narrative of adaptation and coexistence.

Fatalities resulting from snake bites in Australia are infrequent, with merely a few lethal incidents documented annually. As per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, approximately 200 individuals are admitted to hospitals each year due to encounters with venomous snakes.

As we look to the future, with climate change potentially altering snake habitats and behaviors, Australia’s long and hard-won experience with these creatures may prove more valuable than ever. The story of snake bites in Australia is far from over, but it has evolved from a tale of fear to one of respect, understanding, and remarkable human achievement.