The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-02-07
DEATH.
Physical suffering Not NecsssRI.Iy In
VOlvest in IDS Ing


VolVest I'm DyInE-
Ii is said that during the last moments
of the Counties de Rouen, friend who
had not hean of her illness called to
see her. The Characteristic politeness
of the COUNTIES did not forsake her at
this extreme moment, but upon being
informed thatthe person had called, she
family direced the servant to say that
her mistress pesented her regrets, and
begged to be excused as she was engaged
in dying.
A kindred csc is said to have actus
ally happened ome years since in Ohio,
on the "Westem Reserve" Mr.. H an
exquisitely civil gentleman, had been
rapidly failing with consumption, but
still insisted ipon seeing his friends.
One OF his old pmrades found him one
day cheerful, hough the lamp of life
was evidently nickering in the socket .
The couversatbn was checked by the
failure of the SIX man to reply and the
caller noticed hat ne was trying with
feeble hands K keep his eyelids from
| dropping Suddenly he said softly F:
Excuse me a moment" and turned
over and died. The ruling passion which
Is said to be str0g in death, and which,
in these instaApss seems to be excessive
civiuty, 49, banished all fear Of
dissolution THE supreme moment,
though that itexisted before, and, per
haps. in an inense degree, is entirely
probable.
The fact is mat the great dread OF
death, as well as The violent suffering
which proceeds, occurs in most cases
some time prir to final dissolution, and
observation leds us to conclude that
what is termed, with an emphasis imply
ing the mot terrible torture, the
"lass struggle" is, in fact, painless, and
that cessaliOnfrom 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 diagnose:
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 whc
has witnessed the last moments of youua
, and old, ignorant aud wise, testifies tina
as a ru'eall OF them pass away, if no
withoutregret, at least with entire resig
, nation None of them showed dread 0
. the future. Some were troubled, per
haps distressed, when they first though
they could not recover, but the neare
the endcame the less apprehensive an,
, calmer they grew. If encouraged t
think they might get well, or, if the.
had hvorable turn, the old anxiety
I with something of the former apprehen
sions. rappeared but this proved tha
: their mental disquietude was born c
their expectation of life, and not of thei
fear ofaeath.
We may conclude. therefore, that tn
; fear o. dread of death is sentimer
, which is strongest in robust life, and b
mer6tuI provision or nature grow
J fainter e-zitaiity vsanes and the supreu
| hour approaches
, A writer in the CornhiH Mapszir
thinks thst we add strange bitterne
: to death by the reluctance with whic
we speak quietly and freely.of our ow
/ prospects OF mortality. Tenderness an
Y custom combine to seal our lips; an
t there grows up habit of reserve whic
y we dislike to break through. IN
Q habitusl silence adds to the sense
d mystery and chilliness, which it wou
r. be surely wiser to dispel than to increas
is With those actually i'll, however, fran
e ness in this regard, particularly if uni
,f vited upon their part, is oftimes to
D. avoided.
j. Physicians and nurses have stran
,r stories to tell of cases in which stro
pr motive of living has seemed sufficient
ID recall patients from the very grasp
IN death. Sometimes the mere assuran
o. g;ven in confident manner but doul
Mt ing heart, that recovery is possible, see
in TO give strength to rally and may tr
the scale in favor of life. For t
reason, among others, medical men
.h generally unwilling to tell patients Il
of there is 10 hope. There are cases
,ts record in which such an announceme
H. Though voluntarily elected and I
be with perfect apparent calmness,
;, seemed to zap the strength in nom
aud cause sudden and rapid sinki
nd With some, however, entire franknes
not only allowable but advisable.