The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-12-08
A Mans Head Gut off and Put on
Another Mans Body-He Re-
covers.
From the AnEales d. 10 Chirurpis
Etrangere.l

From tho Anrales d. Ia Chirureis
Etrangere.
On the 18th of April, 1868, in the
prison Of Villarica brownies Of Mines
Geracsj, in Brazil, twa men named Areiso
and Carines were executed at the same
time. In Brazil executions take place
with closed doors, in the int, FOR of the
prison. DIR. Lprenz1iy Carmo Of Rio
Janeiro, well known by savanfs for his 10
markable works on electricity applied 70
physiology, his surgical skill and bis suc-
cess in aut0plasiic operations, obtsiued
permission to profit by this event in order
10 experiment on the power Of electricity,
and to illustrate it's analogy with some Of
the phenomena OF life. The numerous ex-
periments hitherto attempted hare been
made on the head and trunk separasely.
DR.. Lorenzory Carmo's design was, II posi-
ble, to unite the head to the neck after DE-
capitation.
The heads Of the two criminals tell
within few minutes Of each other into
the same basket first that of Carines,
then that of Aveiro. Immediately sA1
this second execution compression ~
effected by pupil of DR.. Lorenzo on The
carotid arteries of one Of the heads % y
to stop the hBmorrhage. The body was
then placed on q bed already prepared,
and DIR. Lorenzo stuck the head - exactly
as possible on the section and kept Il 10
that position. The cells of q powerful
electric pile we're applied to the base 81
the neck and on the breast. Under this
influence, as in former experiments, ~
respiratory movements were at once Pr.
ceptible. As the blood which penetrsted
in abundance through the surface Of the
scar threatened to stop the passage Of III,
Or. Lorenzo had recourse to tracheotony
Respiration then ensued regularly. The
head was fastened to the body BY stitches
ard by special apparatus. The physioio'
gist wished to ascertain for how long
time this appearance of life could thus y
arti6cially maintained.
His astOnishment was great when %
saw that at the end OF two hours not only
did respiration still continue under the in.
fueace Of the electric current, but that
circulation even resumed certain reg
larity. The pulse beat ieebly but sensi'
bly,. The experiment was continued with.
out intermission. At the end OF 6Z hours
it was evident to the ast08ishment Of every
one that process of cicatrization had
commenced on the lips of the section. A
little later sings of life manifested themsel-
yes spontaneously in the head and Limbs,
till then deprived of motion. At this mo
ment the director Of the prison, arriving
for the first time 10 the experiment room,
observed that by singular mistake due 70
the haste Of the operation, the head Of
Carines had been taken for that Of Aveiro,
and had been applied to the body Of me
latter. The experiment was continues
Notwithstanding. Three days later inc
respiratory movements reproduced then
selves, and electricity was supposed. VI.
Lorenzory Carmo and bis assistants we.s
stupe6ed, frightened ut result so une1'
pected, and at the power ofan agent wn'es
10 their hands, had restored life to ooy
whose right to exist the law had forie':se:;
The learned surgeon, Who had only nse
in view a simple physiological experiment
employed all Liz skill to continue this Won
which science, aided against all exPeeu
ton by nature, had so singufarly commes
ced. He assisted the process OF c'catr.s
ton which progressed under the most nv
orable conditions. By means OF an esq
phagian probe liquid nourishment was VI
Produced into the stomacbe. At the Guy
of about three months the cicatrisanon,
was complete, and motion, though III
difficult, became more and more extendel
At length. at the end Of seven months suJ
a half, Aveiro- Carines was able to rise .ls
walk. feeling only slight Stiffness id '''
neck, and fscblene In the limbs.