SOME MALAYSIAN CHINESE WHO BELIEVE THAT REPTILE MEAT AND BLOOD HAVE MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND CAN PROLONG YOUTHFUL LIFE SHOWED HOW THEY SUCK BLOOD FROM THE TAIL OF A SNAKE IN KUALA LUMPUR ON FRIDAY (14 FEBRUARY).

MR LOH PENG, A 38-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN, HAS A SMALL STALL IN THE HEART OF KUALA LUMPUR'S CHINATOWN WHERE HE SPECIALISES IN REPTILE FOOD. HE PROVIDES SNAKE'S BLOOD AND MEAT, TURTLE MEAT AND SOUP. HE AND HIS ASSISTANT SNIP THE SNAKE'S TAIL OFF, THEN A FRIEND OR CUSTOMER SUCKS THE BLOOD FROM THE BODY. MR LOH PAYS TWO MALAYSIAN DOLLARS (NEARLY SIX SHILLING STERLING) PER POUND OF SNAKE; HE DOESN'T CHARGE HIS FRIENDS TO SUCK THE SNAKE'S BLOOD BUT HE DOES GET A NOMINAL FEE FROM OTHERS. AFTER THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION, THE SNAKE IS SKINNED AND THROWN INTO A POT WITH CHINESE HERBS TO PRODUCE A STEW.

MOST OF THE SEEKERS AFTER YOUTH IN THIS WAY ARE MIDDLE-AGED MEN WHO ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE SNAKE'S BLOOD IS GOOD FOR SKIN COMPLAINTS.