The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-09-15
the breaking OF the rope. He,

the breaking OF the rope. Henry Nv. OF
France, sent his physicians to examine him,
who reported that after moments suffering
tho man saw an appearance like fire, across
which appeared most beautiful avenue
of trees. When q pardon was mentioned,
the prisoner coolly replied that it was not
worth asking for. Those who have been
near death from drowning, and afterward
restored to consciousness, assert that the
dying suffer but little pain. Capt. Marry
att states that his sensations at one time,
when nearly drowned, were rather pleas
ant than otherwise. The first STRUGGLE
for life oncs over, the water closing around
me assumed the appearance of waving
green fields.+ It is not feeling Of
pnin, but seems like sinking down, over
poweredby sleep. in the long. soft grass in
the cool meadow.
Now, this is precisely the condition pre-
sented in death from disease. Insensibil-
ity soon comes on, the mind loses con-
seriousness Of external objects, and death
rapidly and placidly ensues from asphyxia.
In spite Of the natural antagonism to
death, y moments reflection will show that
it is as much a physiological process as life;
the two terms are correiatlve, the degree of
vital activity depending on the extent Of
molecular death occurring atthe same time.
Strange as the paradox may seem, without
death we cannot live; every thought emanat-
ing from the brain, every blow struck by
the arm, is accompanied by destruction OF
nervous or muscular tissue. The bioplasm-
attic or living matter which enters into the
formation of every animal tissue is con-
stantly terminating into ceilsuhe origin
of all life). and as constantly passing into
decay, their places being taken by protop-
lasts, thus keeping up the ''uctive dance Of
life"
This assimilation, or interstitial death
occurs to such an extent that nature, in
her wisdom, has provided excrementory or
gans for the purpose Of removing from the
system the efTete material thus produced.
Every living structure, after passing
through certain stages of development, ma
turity, and, finally, retro erosion, lnust
come to an end. This may be, but the
ephemeral existence of some of the lower
FERNS of fungi, which, born in the cool Of
the morning, die as the sun goes down; or,
like the famous dragon-tree of Teneritie,
may outlast the pyramids that keep watch
by the Nile.
The last topic for consideration is the
pseudopia of death, Or visions Of the dying.
This subject, coming under the realm Of
mental science, properly belongs to meta
physics rather than physiology. Various
theories have been advanced to explain
this phenomena. but they must remain as
hypotheses at best, for they are not suscep-
tible of demonstration. It is not an un.
common occurrence for the dying, after
living some hours in q semi conscious con-
dition, to start up suddenly, and, with
glowing face, point eagerly to some object
invisible to the bystanders, and, with ami
mated voice and gesture, state that they be-
hold the glories Of heaven or the familiar
countenance Of some friend long since
dead.
The question naturally arises as to wheth-
or these conditions are merely the fantasies
Of disorder<d and fast disorganizing brain,
or are the dying actually permitteda mo-
mentary view of those mysteries hitherto
| unknown?
The traditions and superstitions of the
past have led to a popular belief in the lat
! ter theory. Shakespeare expressed the SEN
timent of his day, when he placed in the
mouth of the dying Queen Katharine these
words:
Saw you not even now blessed troop
! Invite me to q banquet, whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me like sun?
Science, with its iconoclastic hand, has
swept away these pleasing fancies, and in
ed on analogy. In the anmsthesia induced
by chloroform condition is produced re-
sembling that Immediately preceding death
caused the carbonic acid poisoning-in
which visions are constantly pr. scented to
the mind, the character of which depends
upon the natural temperament of the indi-
vidual. Thus it often occurs that q
| patient, when under the influence Of chic
!! reform. has beatifc visions similar to those
Of the dying. It is my fortune to have al
present patient who invariably, when un-
der the influence of chloroform, asserts
that she sees angels lowering round her bed.
The impression is so strong that she be.
comes much annoyed if the reality of these
visions is disputed. The asphyxia produced
by burning charcoal is oft times accom-
panied by disturbed fancies similar to these
preceding death, and the natural inference
is that they are the resultant in both cases
OF one and the Same cause. During the
last moments Of life the mind gradually
loses cognizance Of external surroundings,
and is wrapped in self-contemplalion
Though still in semi conscious condition
the weeping Of friends and the voices OF
attendants fall upon dull ears. The eye
lids ore closed, the pupils slightly contract
ed, and rolled upward and inward. The
dying man has forgotten the pres
one the events of whole life appear its
joys and sorrows, perchance long since for.
gotten, rise before him in startling distinct
ness and then disappear in the swiftly
moving panorama. The familiar faces OF
the friends Of his youth are thown upor
the mental retina, their CHEEKY voices re-
vertebrate in his ears, and the thought OF
meeting these friends III the near future il
perhaps his last conscious impression A.
this drowsiness creeps over the system
these images, nodded from the past be.
come as realities to the disordered im.s,ina,
ton. The germs from which originate
these strange combinations have probabi,
been lying dormant for years in the re-
gistering ganglia of the brain.
These death-b visions are compare
lively Of frequent occurrence, and are gen
orally accepted ABB realities. The theor!
which we promulgate, though not new, viii
naturally excite prejudice; but it is bette
to know the truth than to cherish belief
however pleasing it be, founded on fact.
A Pretty Big Fish.
From the Carson Appeal.
An Eastern tourist in Nevada had beef
spinning some incredible fish yarns, whe,
, one Of the party, turning to an old noun
taineer, said: "Bill, that gets away Wit
fishing in this country, don't it?" wal,