Knife Between The Eyes

But Is Still Alive

THE Resident Agent at Mangaia, Cook Islands, Mr. H. H. Hickling. writes; I send you the attached photograph as evidence of the truth of a story well-

known to the residents of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and which is almost incredible. It bears testimony to the sur gical resourcefulness of a Fijian, the late Soane Puamau, Roko Tui Lau, who was trained at the Suva Medical School, and stationed in the Gilbert Islands.

The photograph shows that a native was stabbed between the eyes and that the knife was driven to the hilt. This occurred during a quarrel, and the man remained conscious.

He was taken to the hospital, but as there was some doubt as to the possi bility of removing the knife without kill ing the patient, it was allowed to remain in his head for more than 24 hours.

Puamau’s story was that the European doctor there at the time finally refused to attempt the removal, and it was left to him to get 8 men to hold the patient on the operating table and at the same time hold the operating table on the floor, while he withdrew the knife with one straight pull.

The man is still alive; and, while I was in Lau, Puamau received regular letters from turn.