The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-02-06
DEATH.
FhysicaI Suffering Rot Nee. ssariIy In
vOIVed In Dying.

1t 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 iorsake 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 actu-
ally happened some years since in Ohio,
on the Western Reserve" Mr.. H 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 Pickering IN the socket d.
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 eyeIids from
dropping Suddenly he said softly
Excuse me a 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 oi
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 ot
death, - well as the violent suffering
which precedes, occurs in most cases
some time prior to final dissolution, and
observation leads US to conclude thai
what il termed, with an emphasis imply
ing the most terrible torture, the
"lsst struggle, is, in fact, painless, anc
that cessation from mortal anguish is it
almost certain forerunner. As we are
unconscious of falling asleep, 20 we ar,
3 unconscious Of the moment Of dying
: Outward signs and accurate diagnose
, tells us this; but still the average mine
] holds to tradition, and believes most i'm
+ plicitiy that which is most imbued witt
t superstition.
A writer, whose avocatiou has caIle,
{ him to many dying bedsides, and VIII
: has witnessed the last moments of yCun
2 and old, ignorant aud wise, testifes tha
i as ru e all Of them pass away, if no
d without regret, at least with entire resig
e nation. None of them showed dread {
t the future Some were troubled, pei
}. haps distressed, when they first though
Il they could not recover, but the neare
: the end came the less apprehensive an
o calmer they grew. If encouraged
> think they might get well, or, if the
2. had a favorable turn, the old anxiet,
Y with something of the former apprehel
8, sions. reappeared but this proved tn,
z their mental disquietude was born
1f their exnectation of lie, and not of thu
It fear of death.
Of We may conclude. therefore, that tt
le fear or dread of death is a sentimel
lie which is strongest in robust life, and
" merciful provision of nature gro7
Is fainter as vitality wanes and the supren
al hour approaches
70 A writer in the Cornhiu Msgszr
G. thinks that we add strange bitterne
s~ to death by the reluctance with viii
d. we speak quietly and freely Of our Ov
Id prospects of mortality Tenderness al
" custom combine to seal our lips; a
1t there grows up a habit of reserve viii
Il,
he babiual silence adds 10 the sense
ed mystery and chilliness, which it wOU
er be surely wiser to dispel than to increa
lts With those actually i'll, however, fraI
he ness in this regard, particularly if un
of vited upon their part, is Oftimes to
to- avoided.
-el, Physicians and nurses have stral
or stories to tell of cases in which q strt
her motive of living has seemed sufficient
1ed recall patients from the very grasp
sun death. Sometimes the mere assuTsI
,se- given in confident manner but dou
ant ing heart, that recovery is possible, se'
in to give strength to rally and may t
the scale ii favor Of life. For
reason, among others, medical men
ich generally unwilling to tell patients
, Of there is no bope. There are cases
acts record in which such an announcem
,iiIs Though voluntarily elected and
the with perfect apparent calmness,
|" seemed to sap the strength in mon
and cause a sudden aud rapid sink
and With ssme,. however, entire frankne
not only allowable but advisable.