, 1880-12-26
DEATH.
Distinctions Between Real and
Apparent Death.
Infallible Indications, and Indica-
tions That Are Not lnfal-
lible.

441AEs
Different Available Mcasures-The Res
piratory, lnnervation, aud Cir.
culatory Tests.
By Dr.. TFtttdn, Fraser.
A satisfactory definition Of life should ex-
press conditions involved in every phase Of
vital development, but never identified with
any mode of inanilnate existence. Trans
mutation represents one such fundamental
distinction between animate and inanimate
objects; for, although some Inorganic COM
binatlons possess degree Of permutabillty
consistent with substantial Integrity, this in
particular cases is always uniform in
character and limited III extent. lee,
for example, may become success
siyely changed into the liquid and
gaseous state without chemical decomposl-
tiuh; but there is all INTRINSIC limit to such
Formulation, for under similar circumstances
Of pressure, at an unalterably fixed eleva~
tion of temperature, it Invariably becomes
resolved into simpler constituents.
There are apparently no such inherent re-
strictions to organic transmutatfons, which
may be perpetuated Indemnity, under appro-
pirate supplementary conditions, without
perceptible intrinsic exhaustion. Yet organ
suls are never sufficiently independent to
spontaneously evolve such progressive re-
suits, but require The constant accession Of
extrlnsic energy to develop their included
potentialities.
The sun is the physical source Of extraneous
energy for every species OF vital change oc-
curing on the carth's surface, as through the
Immediate agency of its rays vegetables are
enabled to abstract from the surrounding
medium those elements adapted to their
special needs; and, although animals cannot
thus directly appropriate solar energy, vet
they are enabled to utilize 1t by the assimila-
ton of certain of these vegetable products
which it has previously served to elaborate.
AsaII the progressive transmutations which
indispensably constitute individual life are
dependent on the constant incretion of mate
ria1energy, Indignation Is also universal con-
comltant of vitality, SO that fur practical
purposes life may be Professionally defined as
the
CONTINUOUS ISDTv1DUAL 1yTEGnAT1oN AND
DIFFERENTIATION OF MATERIAL ENERGY.
While these two correlated processes per-
tain to every variety of life, the physiological
expcdients by which their respective actlvi-
ties nre sustained must vary In conformity
with the specific requirements OF different
structures. A simple unit Of protoplasm
effects all its vital purposes through direct
interchange with its environment, without
the necessity Of any intermediate provision.
But, in higher organisms, life is indissolub]y
associated with certain accessory processes,
aud, In these cases, though the molecular
interactions on which its essential attributes
Immediately depend are directly impercepti-
bic, yet it Is possible to prove Its existence or
no1l-cxistence by sensibly demonstrating the
presence or absence Of these its inseparable
concomitants.
Man with his powers unimpaired mani
tests his vitality in unmstakable TERMS but
conditions not incompatible with resuscfta-
ton may occur wherein all his functions
are SC reduced as to be directly impereepti-
BILE. In such cases. to prevent premature
burial. 1t is important to discover some sign
absolutely diagnostic Of real or apparent
death.
An essential characteristic Of living bodies
is their power OF actively maintaining de-
gree Of varying integrity Of constitution In
opposition to destructive influences. This
requires the incorporation Of extraneous ma
terials and their conversion into detinit spe-
citc structures, and always involves the iu-
mediate opposition Of Ingredients, as well as
a reciprocal state Of the parts to be
nourisi1ed. Although such intimate re-
ciprocation Of living structures and
nutrient materials must always
exist, the means whereby it is effected varies
exceedingly in different instances. In the
lower order Of beings it is accomplished very
simply, the medium which they inhabit offer
ing directly the reQuistt pnbulum, which
their own condition enables them to asslml-
late without any preparatory, elaboration.
III more complex organisms detlnit CORE
crude materials Of food, as we'll Us to bring
them into immediate relation with the vari-
GUS tissues.
In some simple forms vital action
may be SUSPENDED indefnitly by
desiccation, being restorab!e by moist
cold-blooded animals state of temporary
negation may be induced by congelation, the
vital powers returning cOncurrently with
the absorption Of heat.
IN MAN IT is QUITE DIFFERENT:
the animal functions may, be suspended, and
even some OF the organic processes inter-
rupted, without exiting ulshing life; but there
are certain Of his functions The cessation Of
which for limited period must inevitably
cause death.
AS 10 LuGlT VIAL 6ItsHlHcdIlfG. HILL =
functions may be classified into es-
sential and supplemental,-the for
mer including such as cannot be
discontinued beyond a brief interval without
fatal consequences; the litter such as may
be suspended OF even destroyed without in
yolying general dissolution. Thus. although
sight is important to comfort, it may be lost
without affecting vitality; the hepatic func-
ton may be vIcariously performed, even
the renal secretion may be suspended for
considerable period beyond death; but the
complete cessation Of any of the essential
functions of circulation, innervation or res
piration must be speedily followed by such q
result. by the circulatory forces, constant
flow of blood Is directed to and from all the
parts; by the nervous system, an alternat-
ing effect is produced OIL the tissue-elenlents,
whereby at one :. time they asslMi-
late, at another disintegrate; by the
respiratory apparatus, certain of the result
ant products are necessarily eliminated
These three comp1euentai functions are so
interdependert that the complete Interrupt
ton Of either necessarily leads to arrestment
of all, and consequent death.
Human blood is Of a highly complex
nature, as. through it the textures receive all
tf1a materials aflpnuatn To their cnntinueH