Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-25

n
the final effort Of organization to resist de
cay-the retreat Of life TO the muscular system
Its last stronghold, is, nevertheless, wher'
II exists, II sign Of great value.
"The occurrence of this stiflncss-Roiicui
rerguc, Rgor norris, is subordinate to the same
causes that influence the loss Of temperature
and hence the same circumstances that tilyoi
| the dissipation of animal heat, hasten the posi-
mortem rigidity and great care is sometimes
necessary 10 avoid installing the stiffness aris-
ing from other canscS, for the stern iixedness Of
death. In persons frozen, but not yet dead, or
in other words susceptible of ie-animation, the
| rigidity Of the body is very great. This stiff
ness, however, Is not confined to the muscles
but parvades all parts of the body nor need
the rigidity arising from syncope or from spas
modic diseases ever be mistaken for death, ii
proper attention be paid to the circumstances
Of each individual case,
aThc rigidity of DEATH however, is only
temporary, lasting from few hours to two or
three days, and the returning fexibility of the
muscles constitutes n sign not less valuable
than putrefaction itself, as it is an evidence of
the yielding of the powers OF life TO those
chemicnl nflinities, the complete exhibition Of
which constitute the breaking up OF animal or
ganization-thc triumph of decay.
" The changes that take place in the eyes after
authors been considered as satisfactory indica-
tions of DEATH These are the cornea becoming
Opaque, and covered with thin Shiny coat, or
membrane which breaks in pieces when tonch-
ed, and is cnsily removed by wiping, and gen
eral faccidity of the eyeball, which may bcper-
ceiyed by placing the finger on the upper eye
lid and moving il gently over the surface OF
the eye, when the point of the finger will sink
on coming over the cornen, and q distinct ring
will be felt, marking the attachment OF that
membrane with the sclerOtic coat. These phe-
nomena though true in some cases, cannot al
WAYS be detected, rs the changes here descri-
bed sometimes take place to considerable
extent long before life becomes extinct. Yet
when he that walks forth in the pride and
strength of youth, is suddenly stricken to the
earth, sand in moment has need OF the habili-
ments of the grave, the eye, then, loses It's
luslre and becomes clouded with the dusky
curtain OF DEATH Butthe approach OF death is
not always sudden, and when gradual, the
wasting Of the tissues and fluids is frequently
so great that the fulness and sparkling bril-
liancy of the eye, which depend upon thlscon-
dition, are lost, and the secretions from the
various mucous surfaces are so changed or re-
generated that the dusky film may be initiated,
thus destroying the evidence afforded ny these
changes of the eye.
death, and probably, under skilful manage
menl, one that would be nearly infallible, but
difficult of access, except in large cities, or near
of learning where the necessary
apparatus is usually on hand. lallude to That
kind OF modification of Electricity termed Gal.
yanism To the stimulus of this powerful agent
the muscles of the animal frame, respond as
long as a particle OF vitality, even OF that low
grade known to anatomists by the term irrlta-
bilty, remains. Some of the muscles OF organic
life can, by tho aid of Galvanism, be made TO
contract sensibly twenty-four hours after the
absolute death of all the visible functions.
Hence insensibilty to its action proves abso-
lntely that life has become extinct.
There have been other tests for determining
this important question proposed but these
constitute the principal and though each singly |
liable to error, vet if carefully applied in the |
aggregate to each case, rarely leave the ling |
in the least doubt indeed, either of the three |
more important, viz: lncpient putretaction
1exiblity succeeding cadaveric rigidity, and in
feasibility of the muscular fibre to the stimulus |
IF Galyanism, may be considered as nearly ln-
alible as any fact of human observation, and |
he body committed to the grave, without pre-
,enting one of these evidences, may, for all the
ARE of the guardians of the sacred trust, be
'estored to consciousness, when such resto-
alton is of all temporal events the most terri
Die. TO awake from what may seem the sweet
leep of returning health, and find ones self
rot only dressed in the habiiments of the grave,
,ut incosed within its rcmorseless grasp--to
eel the sickening pang which the realization
If this first horrible fact produces-to struggle
when no hope cheers the effort-to hear per-
laps the hum of life as II rolls over head, and
rom which we are cut off forever-to call out
when no ear can be reached-and, finally, to
rive up and wish to die, but cannot be released
the idea is replete with horror, and the risk
hould never be permitted" NJ. d.