The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-08-15
IS
POWER TO LIVE OR DIE.

The most singular instance Of the power
oftEe will over the functions ofthe body, and,
taken altogether, perhaps the most remarks
able case on record being supported by the
testimony Of nnquestionabfe auihoriiy,ki is re-
lated by DIR. CAeyne, in his sEuglish Mala-
dy.n 1t is the case of Hon. Col. Tow0s-
head, who for many years had suffered from
an organic disease of the kidney, by which
he was greatly emanciaied. He was aitead-
ed by DIR. BayRard, DR.: Cheyne, and NJ.
Shrine; and these gentlemen were sent for
one tnorningsto witness a singular pheneme-
non. eIIetold them be had for sometime OBJ
served an oddsehsaiion, by which, if he
composed himself he could die OF expire
when he pleased. and by an effort Gene TO
life again. The medical attendants were
in his weak state, TO witness the ex-
pertinent; but he insisted upon IT, and The
following is file account Of DIR. Cheyne: We
allihfee ielt his pulse first; it was distinct :
thoagh small and threadF, and bis heart had
lis usual beating. lie composed himself or
his back and lay ina sill posture some
time while / held his right hand, DIR. Bayr-
ard laid his hand on bis hear, andM Mr.. Skirne
heidi looking-nlass 10 his mouth felt his
pulse sink gradually, til atfastI could moi
feel any by the most exact touch. DR.. Bayn-
ard could not feel the least emotion in his
heart, Hor Mr. Skrine the least soil of breath
on the bright mirror he held 10 his mouth;
then each of US by turns examined his arm,
heart, andbrealb; but could not By the III
cest scrutiny discover the least symptoms of
life m him. We reasoned a long time about
this odd appearance az we'll asswe. coald, and
all of US judgingit inexpsicable and uaac-
countable, and finding be still continued in
the condition, we began to conclude that he
had indeed carried The experiment TOO far,
and at last were satisfied be was actually
dead, aud were justfeady to leave him.
This continued about half an hour, by nine
O'clock ia he morning in autunn.
AS we were going AWAY, we observed
some motion about the body, and upon ex-
ANIMATION found his pulse and the motion of
the heart gradually returning, he began 10
breathe gently and speak softly; we we're as
ionished TO the last degree at this unexpcct-
ed change, and after some further consersa-
lion with him and among ourselves, went
away fully satisfied as TO all the particulars of
this fact, but confounded aud puzzled, and
not able to form any rational scheme that
ni~ektacnnint fnr1tZ Ha afnryards zcafiad
for mis- attorney, added a codicil 10 his will,
settled legacies on his servants, received the
sacrament, and calmly and composedly eS-
PRED about fre or six O'Clock that evening"
His body was examined, and all the ~viscera,-
with the exception of The right kidney which
was greatly diseased, we're found perfectly
lhealthy and natural: This power Of tbe
III - = l-a - .--I---
one of the most Remarkable phenomena con
nected withiie natural history OF the human
body. Burton alludes 10 cases of the same
kind, and reports that the celebrated Cardan
Dragged he could separate, himself from. bis
senses when he pleased. CELSIUS makes fe-
ference to a priest who possessed the same
extraordinasy power.--Pehigrep on Super
~sttion connected Nth Medicine.