St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-08
DEATH

Ehysical Suffering Rot Necessarily I'm
vclve.s Ia Dying.
It is said that during the last moments
of the Countess de Rouen, a friend who
had not heard of her illness called to
see her. The characteristic politeness
Of the countess did not forsake her at
this extreme moment, but upon being
informed that the person had called, she
family directed the servant to say that
her mistress presented her regrets, and
begged to be excused as she was engaged
in dying.
A kindred case is said to have actus
ally happened some years since in Ohio,
on the western Reserve Mr.. II an
exqnisitely civil gentleman, had been
| rapidly falling with consumption, but
still insisted upon seeing his friends.
| One OF his old comrades found him one
day cheerful, though the lamp of life
was evidently aickering in the socket.
The conversation was checked by the
failure of the sick man to reply, and the
caller noticed that he was trying with
feeble hands to keep his eyelids from
dropping. Suddenly he said softly :
excuse me moment" and turned
over and died. The ruling passion which
is said to be strong in death, and which,
in these instances seems to be excessive
civility, evidently banished all fear of
dissolution at the supreme moment,
though that it existed before, and, per-
haps in an intense degree, is entirely
| probable.
The fact is that the great dread of
death, as well as the violent suffering
which precades, occurs in most cases
some time prior to final dissolution, and
| observation leads US to conclude that
what is termed, with an emphasis imply
ing the most terrible torture, the
last struggle" is, in fact, painless, and
that cessation from mortal anguish is its
almost certain forerunner. AS we are
unconscious OF falling asleep, 70 we are
unconscious Of the moment of dying.
Outward signs and accurate diagnoses
tells us this; but still the average mind
| holds to tradition, and believes most i'm
plicitly that which is most imbued with
superstition.
A writer. whose avocatiou has called
him to many dying bedsides, and who
has witnessed the last moments of young
| and old, ignorant and wise, testifes that
as rue all OF them pass away, if not
without regret, at least with entire resig-
nation. None of them showed dread of
the future. Some were troubled, per-
haps distressed, when they first thought
they could not recover, but the nearer
the end came the less apprehensive and
calmer they grew. If encouraged to
think they might get well, or, if they
| had favorable turn, the old anxiety,
with something of the former apprehen-
| sions, reappeared but this proved that
| their mental disquietude was born of
their expectation of life, and not of their
fear of death.
We may conclude. therefore, that the
fear or dread of death is a sentiment
which is strongest in robust life, and by
merciful provision of nature grows
fainter as vitality wanes and the supreme
hour approaches.
A writer in the Cornhill Magazine
thinks that we add strange bitterness
to death by the reluctance with which
| we speak quietly and freely OF our own
prospects of mortality. Tenderness and
custom combine to seal our lips; and
there grows up habit of reserve which
we dislike to break through. This
habitual silence adds to the sense of
| mystery and chilliness, which it would
be surely wiser to dispel than to increase.
With those actually i'll, however, frank
ness in this regard, particularly if unin-
| vited upon their part, is oftimes to be
avoided. ill.,.
Physicians aud nurses have strange
stories to tell of cases in which strong
motive of living has seemed sufficient to
recall patients from the very grasp of
death. Sometimes the mere assurance,
given in confident manner but doubt
ing heart, that recovery=is possible, seems
to give strength to rally and may turn
the scale in favor of life. For this
reason, among Others, medical men are
generally unwilling to bell patients that
there is no hope: There are cases on
record in which such an announcement,
Though voluntarily elected and met
with perfect apparent calmness, has
seemed to sap the strength in moment
aud cause sudden and rapid sinking.
With some, however, entire frankness ID
not only allowable but advisable.
There would seem to be also real
difference Of feeling. between rich and