The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-09-09
Buried Alive.

Appalling instances have occurred,
from time to time. where people have
been buried alive, having fallen into a
a trance-like state which was the very
counterpart of death, and undistin-
guishable from it, Notwithstanding a
multitude of tests to ascertain if life
were really extinct. But science has
at last discovered test by which this
serious question may be definitely set
tied. Every corpse, says learned vi
ennese professor may Immediately after
death he easily excited by an electric
current, which will not only produce
the motions of respiration, heaving and
subsiding of the chest, but also cause
expressions of countenance, such rs
smiles and frowns. This intense cleo
trio susceptibility lasts only about m
hour or so, and cannot be again pro-
duced. In case of apparent lifelessness,
however, the electric current will mt any
time produce the results aforementioned,
and thus furnish an inerrable guide to
distinguish definite from seeming ex-
tinction of life. A case in point came
under his own observation: A nervous,
excitable young woman swooned away,
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lay lifeless for about thirty-six hours.
Or two physicians summoned, one pro-
nounced her to be dead, whereas the
other refrained from expressing a de-
cided opinion. The application OF hot
sealing wax and other expedients com:
monty resorted to in similar exigen-
cies, proved Intellectual, and prepara-
tons for the funeral were accordingly
made. As last resort, however, the
electric apparatus was applied, where
upon the body began to react exquis-
itely. The professor now recommended
to envelop the woman in warm blan-
kets, to admit plenty of fresh air to the
room, and to instill clear coffee, mixed
with little brandy. On the following
day, fOrty-four hours after the catastro-
phe, the woman awoke, and gradually
re-obtained consciousness, speech and
motion. When completely restored she
related that, during the first stage of
her stupor, she was entirely insensible,
but that consciousness had returned by
degrees, and that she had seen and
heard everything that took place around
her, although unable to speak word.
The condition was similar to the press
ing Of the nightmare, or to that brought
about by q strong dose of narcotics.
The professor adds that since the audi
tory organ dies last, it is in general not
advisable to converse in the hearing of
person expiring, or of some one just
expired, about matters concerning his
condition, rs we might thereby horribly
embitter his last moments. It is said
that this electrical apparatus is exceed
ingly simple, and readily applied.
The BEST MIND FOR FARMING Time
was when men thought the dullest boy
of the family would do for farmer.
The brightest boy was put to the study
of law or medicine, but the idea was
common that after farming the biggest
fool would do we'll enough for doctor
or u preacher. We have lived long
enough to see the supreme folly of all
this, and public opinion now holds
farming as an intellectual calling. And
why not? The farmer has to deal with
life under all its conditions; he must
bring life to q perfect development both
in the field and in the herd. Life is
the thing with which he deals first, last,
middle and end. From the seed which
he plants to the animal that he raises,
life is the subject of his thoughts and
purposes. The reward of his labor must
come from life, so that the farmer is
god among the seed of things. II there
is a calling on earth that demands men,
tai vigor and large stores of informa-
ton, it is agriculture. There cannot
he too much of mind connected with it.
Intelligence is demanded of the farmer
in all his business, efforts and aims
Exchange.
A QUEER CHRIsTIAN.-One of the
most Objectionable forms of affectation
is that of devoutness. A remarkable case
of this kind was afforded by Lord West
bury, ut one time Lord Chancellor of
England. He was in the habit of speak
ing of himself as an "eminent Chris
tian," yet he delighted in wounding
everybody by his bitter satiric speeches,
and cool insolence Once, when about
to plead before the lords, who are the
judges of the highest court in England,
he kept them waiting when they were
ready to hear him by apparently engag-
ing in his private devotions. He clasp
ed his hands, and bent his head with
closed eyes to the great establishment of
the Court. 1t would, in any case, have
been an improper time and place for
such an act; but it was known in this
instance to be a mere affectation of de-
voutness, intended to irritate the judges
whom he was about to address.
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