i dont know about anyone else but that set-up sounds a little ridiculous from what i have read about it . . . if you have a BP and know how to properly care for it (temps, humidity, tank size, feeding) maybe you should go over it with ur friend and get that snake into a proper set-up/enclosure when he gets back from the vet . . . you said you know about BP's but not about illness so sit ur friend down and go over everything you know with him to avoid this in the future , isn't that what friends are for?