Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-06-19
Premature IntermentS
AND THE UNCERTAIN SIGNS OF DEATH.
BY GEORGE wATTERSToN.

BY GEORGE wATTERSToN.
At the death of Philip Doddridge, an
eminent lawyer of Virginia. who died in
the city of Washington, while member
of Congress. it was stated us a reason for
retaining his body longer than usual, that
on former occasio !, he had narrowly
escaped the melancholy fate of being bu-
ried alive. He hnd fallen into a catalep
tic condition. His respiration had ccas-
ed, his pulse no longed throbbed, his
limbs were perfectly rigid, and his face
exhibited the sharp outline of death. The
family physicians and friends all, with
the exception of his wife, believed him to
be dead Mrs. D., however, would not
relnquish every hope, and continued to
apply, from time to time, every remedy
she could think of to restore vitality, and
finally succeeded in administering a small
quantity of brandy, which Immediately
restored him to life and the command Of
his limbs. He lived many years after
wards, and was wont to relate, with deep
feeling, the painful and horrible sensa.
tons he experienced during the period
he was supposed to be dead. He said
that though he was perfectly unable to
move his finger or give the least sign OF
his being alive. he could hear and was
conscious of every thing that was going
on around him. He heard the announce
ment tina. he was dead, and the lamen-
tations of his family, tie directions for
his shroud and all the usual preparations
for his burial He made desperate ef-
forts to show that he was not dead, but
in vain; he could not move muscle.
Even despair and the immediate presence
of fate more appalling to humanity than
any other earthly terror, could not rouse
the dormant body to perform the slight.
est of it's functions. At last he heard
Mrs. Doddridge call for the brandy, with
Il delight and rapture Of love for her
which the horrors of his situation may
easily explain. He felt that he was sale.
He humorously observed "that it was as
little as brandy could do to restore him
to life. as it had produced his living
DEATH" Mr.. Doddrdge was unfortu>
nately addicted to the Incorporate use
of ardent spirits, and fit of intemper-
ance had, no doubt, produced the condi-
ton from which he was relieved by the
perseverance and love of his wife, who
administered, al the last moment, the
powerful stimulant which restored him to
life. Otherwise his fate would have been
that of many others, who have been bu-
ried before life was extinct
Another instance of prevention from
the horrors of premature interment oc-
CURED in this country, and has been re
lated bv Mrs. Childs in her Letters from
New York. 1t is an additional proof Of
strong conjugal affection, and Of the ne.
cessity of retaining the body where there
remains the least doubt of the extinction
of life. The uncle of Mrs. Childs was
attacked in Boston with the yellow fever,
and considered as dead. His affectionate
wife, however, did not abandon all hope,
but continued with him during his illness,
contrary to the remonstrances of her
friends, and persisted in refusing to allow
his body to be taken from the house for
interment. "She told me-" says Mrs.
Chids, " that she never knew how to &C
count for it; but though he was perfect
ly cold and rigid. and to every appear
anoe quite dead, there was powerful
impression ON her mind that life was no
extinct.
"Two calls, atintervals Of half an houl
had been made with the death carts, t.
take away the dead bodies. and the con
slant cry was, as usual on such occasions
Bring out the dead ; but her earnes
entreaties and tears induced them reluc-
family to grant her another respite OF hall
an hour. With trembling haste. she re-
newed her efforts to restore life. She
raised his head. rolled his limbs in hot
flannel, and placed hot onions Oh his feet.
The dreaded half hour again came round
him as cold and rigid as ever. Again she
renewed her entreaties so desperately that
the messengers begin to think that a lit
tie gentle force would be required. They
accordingly attempted to remove the DO
dy against her win, but she threw her
self upon it, and chung to it with sucl
force and strength that they could mol
easily loosen her grasp AT last, by dinl
Of reasoning on the necessity Of the case
she promised that if he should show no
signs Of life before they again came round,
she would make no further opposition to
the removal. Having gained his respite.
she hung the watch upon the bed post
md renewed her Efforts with double zeal
She placed kegs of hot water about him.
forced brandy between his teeth. breath
ed into his nostrils, and held hartshorn to
bis nose but still the body lay motion
less and cold. She looked anxiously at
the watch; in five minutes the promised
half hour would expire. and those dread
full voices would be passing through the
streets. Hopelessness came over her
she dropped the head she had been sus-
tanning; her hand trembled violently. and
the hartshorn she had been holding was
spilled on the pallid face. AccidentalIv