The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-16
The vlTALMETER.

somewhat novel and at least curious invention
was exhibited privately last evening at Cooper
Institute, room No. "a, by Mr.. Oscar Pfeirer,
of Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. Pfeiffer, impressed
with the idea that numerous well known III
stances had amply demonstrated the fact that
no physician can, at the present tlme state
with absolute certainty that death has actually
curred-at least not until the dissolution OF the body
has been unmistakable--has constructed q
"vitameter," the purpose Of which is to
conduct sufficient air TO one reposing in
coffin, lowered into and covered
by the earth, and who makes up his mind to travel
once more his ancestral halls, to respre and call the
attention OF peopein the vicinity OF the grave and
thus publish his subterranean intention 1t may be,
as the late Edgar A. Poe has graphically decrbed,
that go to sleep in trance, from which there Is
future but indeterminate waking on earth. 1t is
possible that the octogenaran when he lies down in
his cold and narrow house is only taking pr0tract-
ed rest and that with SUFFICIENT oxygen he will soon
step out on earth to live like the pararchs OF DID, his
allotted centuries Poe who is the pest authority on all
matters relating to tine grave When he perpetraed his
singular hoax OF "facts In the case OF NJ. Vademar
found many believers, who, ncreduious to that par.
the theory that frequently funerals are cases Of
premature burial where the supposed death is only
an unaccOuntable example OF suspended animation
MI. Pielfler is evidently convert to this belief,
and, working upon 1t, has built cOntrivance which
enables man to tell whether ne IL live or dead
manfOr the subject must know that he Is not one
he must be the other. The inventor comes to
America loaded with imperial testimonials, contain
ing assurances that If his "Vltalmeer will preserve
brief humanity 1t Is valuable thing-whlcn no
doubt 1t Is, because his Royal Hlghness the Crown
Prince Of Denmark-not consanguine with Hamlet,
Prince OF Denmark, but possibly with Hamets
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the world and all the rest Of
mankind that 'the Importance OF the invention VIII
soon lead to its practical general adoptlon' and he
Mr.. pfeifier's exhibition last evening was great
success, plainly showing that the principle he in
vents is valuable one, and which, under his mani
pulation, is very practicable. The apparatus CON
sists of small electro gaivanic battery, with two
cups generating positive and negative currents.
From this battery run two wires, which connect
with the Two electrical poles that are situated at the
into the coffin IN which the body IS confined.
Through the centre OF this brass tube runs q long
ana very light metallic rod, the lower end OF
winch Is terminated by a rod that rests upon
the cnest of the subject in the coffin. The tube
just long enough to allow the upper end to reach the
ground. other wires are connected with the two
ated In the lodge Of the cemetery.
The victim being in his CONN, with manifestations
of life, the small ball. fixed to move In any direction,
rateray or perpendcularly, Is caused to viDrate,
and the slightest movement OF the chest, as in
breathing, Will make this vibration An impulse is
thus communicated to the rod connecting with the
current is established between the battery and the
bell in the Keepers lodge Until some assistance is
rendered TO the victim the bell will continue to ring,
though 1t be for years. When putre1action sets In,
further Of the apparatus is designed but the
hole is sealed-and 'dust TO dust ashes to ashes"
There Is no doubt that this device answers all
that 1t pretends, vZ.-TO ascertain If there Is any
vitality remaining in u buried body, and II so, to
rescue the unfortunate individual from the horrors
Of premature nterment, which the inventor claims
is more frequent occurrence than Is beheved-even
with the great-stc transit gloria mundi. Mr.
ant going into tue CONN, while he remained outside
and explained the movements.