Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-08-21
Painle~. Death

The phenomenon of death is little
understood. The mystery which
shrouds death is not greater than that
which shrouds birth, or thought or vo-
lition; vet religion and various other
things have all conspired to misinter
pret its attendant phenomena. One of
the most common errors is the idea that
pain and dying are inseparable COM
panions. The truth is they rarely go
together. Occasionally, the act of dis
solution is painful one, but this is an
exception to the general rule. The rule
is that Inconsistencies, not pain, at
tends the final act. Convulsive twitch-
ings. livid features, gurgling in the
throat, and similar CHASTITY symptoms
which mark the last moment, are only
exhibitions of unconscious automatic
action. The testimony of the dying, so
long a. they are able to give any testi-
mo1y, is that their sufferings do not in
crease "a the termination of life ap-
proaches. but on the contrary grows
less. The following incident illustrates
the truth of this remark, and so far a.
a single instance is of value, confirms
what has been said as TO The painless
ness of dissolution. \ medical friend,
whom | attended professionally in his
last illness, was victim of a most pain
full disease. He was aware of its incu-
able character. Supported by an in
telligent faith i'm God and immortality
he prepared himself with admirable
courage and unfaltering trust for the
final change. In consequence of con-
tinual and severe pain, he was Obliged
during the last few months of his life
to take opium daily. He sent for me
one night soon after midnight. \ brief
examination was sufficient to show that
the end was near.
''Do these symptoms mean perfOra-
ton 2" asked DR..
'"They do" was the reply.
Then | have reached the end of the
chapter" he quietly remarked, and ad-
ded, show long shall probably last?"
THAT you know 1 said, ''as well as
anyone; perhaps twenty-four hours or
thirty-six hours
Scarcely needing the reply he con-
tinued:
81 am ready. but promise me this,
that 1 shall not suffer pain if you can
prevent it"
The promise was given, of course.
and | agreed TO see him every hour or
two as long as he lived. This being
done, said TO him, lone thing re-
mains, how shall 1 communicate with
you when, at the very close, the time
comes that you cannot indicate wheth-
er you suffer or not? ?"
''After little talk the following sig
mails were agreed upon. He was TO in
dIcate a negative answer, or no, by
raising the forefinger, and affirmative
or yes, by raising the fOrefinger, and
the one next it also. One gnger was
no; two fingers yes. Having arranged
this matter, he took rather more than
his ha5itual dose of opium, and was
soon comparatively quiet. The pain did
not return. For twelve or fifteen hours
he appeared much as usual; conversed
with his family and friends, and was
cheerful and serene. Then as natures
anesthetic began to act, he became dull
and heavy. In answer to repeated in
quiries as to pain, he constantly re-
piled in the negative. At length he
less readily. For an hour or
so before death he answered only by
the signal of his fingers which had
been agreed upon, and by that signal
he replied quickly and intelligently-
Fifteen minutes before dissolution l
asked him. ''Do you suffer pain 2" He
instantly made the negative signal by
raising the forefinger. After this he
made no sign, but slept peacefully TO
the end.