This is just too good not to mention. Dart and Gustafson (1991) discuss an Arizona man who was bitten by his pet Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis lutosus) near his upper lip (How?). He had been bitten previously 14 times. As he had read about the electric shock treatment in one of the outdoor magazines, he had decided with a neighbor that he would use the treatment the next time he was bitten. When the "accident" occurred, he got next to a car, attached a wire from a spark plug to his lip, and had someone start the engine. He was unconscious with the first electrical charge. The guy was in the hospital for 4 days and required reconstructive surgury on his lip.

The "Victim" shared an Ig Nobel prize with the doctors who wrote up the case.

Submitted on 11/05/2003

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: www.herper.com/venom/electro.h

Copyright © 2003 DarwinAwards.com

Becky said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
The combination of electricity and snakes makes this one uncommon enough, I think. Only Honerable mention, though; the lip isn't exactly required for reproduction.

Daniel said:
Maybe Toss: Other
He had read in a "scientific" journal a description of the treatment, and had a reasonable expectation that it might work. Using a spark plug wire seems a bit stupid, but...

Greg said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I haven't heard of someone attaching a spark plug wire to their lip before, an action that seems worthy of an HM even without the snake bite.

Loren said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
I feel that the snakebite isn't the issue here. It's the 'cure' that makes the story. But, perhaps only an honerable mention!

Jack said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
I'm afraid that we've had a too many stories about people being bit by snakes - pet or captured - to make this Darwin worthy (even as an Honorable Mention).

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