The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-20
Hasty Rurials.

ing called lie Moituairo PuDliuue
Here the dead are left Tor timo prior
to'theirHnsl deposit, and morning aud
evening each body is carefully exam
ined, an6 Indications of returning vital
ity watched. The lids of the coffins
are left open, and every means are
ready ct hand to sound the alarm in
case o. returning life, and to resusci-
tate those who show any sis rs OF re-
turning consciousness. The French
people havo morbid fear of being
buried alive, and the state of catalepsy,
with its various phases, has for num-
Der of -Sears been the subject Of mature
thought among the physicians of
France. The danger of hasty sepulture
has received 80 many illustrations in
the United States as to mako it n ques-
tion open t. grave discussion and re-
form. The percentage of those awaken
ing from their long sleep, according to
French statistics, is about one in 400,
and the probabilities are that in Eng
land, where the period between death
and burial is generally six days, and in
America, where the dead are thrust out
OF sight ;ls quick as possible, the per-
centage is considerably greater. IN
necessary haste characterizes most of
our doing upon this side of the ocean
but in no particular are we more inju-
dicious, more guilty of want of feeling
and scientific shortsightedness than in
the rapithty with which we dispose of
our dead.
In the experience Of medical stu
dent, published in the January number
OF the INLAND Mouthly, by Enrique
Farmer, we find several well-authenti-
Gated CAGES, sufficient to fill the mind
with horror and to turn the thoughts
backward: to many faces whose lifelike
expression upon their day of departure
from the light of heaven has remained
lndellbly' impressed upon our memo
rles. We have first the case of a strong
man who dropred away suddenly, was
put IN the grave and the sods stamped
upon his coffin. -Four days afterward
the bodytwas found twisted round, m
ankle disfocated, hair turned white and
torn out, and features distorted in
terrible .9anner. There is next the
case of a'soung lady, beautiful in per-
son and accomplishment, laid away
hurricdly. Upon removing her remains
to anothec cemetery the open coffin dis
ants arms, traits Of hhir strewn about,
feet drawn up as is if in wild effort for
release, the fnely-chiseIed features
Scared by tinger-nails. Less than II
score of years ago Il young man, six |
days after burial, was found turned on |
mis- facc, with ono arm bitten to The
bono and other evidences of IL frightful
death-wrestle. In tho various grave
yards of the land, where cemeteries
have beGa dug over and exhumcd, there |
have bccu often found bodies or skele-
tons turned ov6r on their sides or faces,
with knees drawn up, joints distcnded,
hands clenched. arms thrustagainst their !
narrow prison-houso, fingers twisted in
the hair,, and numerous other evidences |
of struggle too horrible and agoniz-
ing to dream of. In tho old burial
ground in the city of Brooklyn there
was found the corpse of young bride,
dressed in wedding garments of tho
richest white satin, with bridal veil,
ring, and all tho evidences of wealth
aid position. Tho skeleton WIS found |
twisted and displaced, and tho gar
meuts grasped MS if in wise in the
clcnchcd finger bones even tho long,
raven tresses, which wero us glossy and
perfect rs ever, were bit fast in tho !
feshless teeth, ns with the final de-
spniring agony of death. Numerous
cases of n similar kind have happened
here and in England. Only last year Il
woman died in Pennsylvania and WIS
buried. When her husband, who had
been absent at the time OF her death, re-
turnod, he insisted upon elimination,
and to the unutterable dismay of all the
body was found lying upo" its face, the
shroud covered with blood, tho flesh
torn from the left shoulder, with every
mark that a fearful struggle had taken.
place. But the most singular case
recorded by the medical student is one
which came under his own knowledge
and manipulation. Among his ac
quaintances he numbered young and
cherished sincere and romantic attach
ment. re his Infinite astonshment he
read in the morning paper that she had
just died and would be buried to-mor-
row. Hurrying to the house he found
that the young girl had died of heart
disease, and that the old family physi-
clan had pronounced life extinct. Her
appearance, connected with this sudden
taking off, convinced him that she was
only in trance. He waited upon the
physician, implorcd him to delay this
interment in vain. There was fine
funeral, mn eloquent sermon, tears and
flowers all in proper form and the
fair hciDg was laid in the dust and shut
ont forever from life and light. AS the
clock tollcd the hour Of midnight the
young student, with tho assistance OF
n friend, stood at the grave. Spreading
n blanket upon the earth, they cut the
sod and began their work. In few
minutes tho spade touched the hend Of
the coffin and, upon removing tho nails,
Il deep groau smoto upon thor oars.