Daily globe., 1882-11-08
DOCTORS DISAGREE.

A Disputed Theory of Death-Are the
Early Mornin. Hours specially Produc-
tive of Death ?-Wfat the Physicians
Think.
OF al the sources Of superstit;ous be-
iefs, death is by long odds the most fruit
full, and, while many of the alleged super
natural phenomena which attend it are so
absurd as to provoke only smile from
the intelligent. others of them are SO poet
ical in their makeup as to gain foot
hold upon even educated minds which hap
pen to have a sentimental turn, and not a
few present so strong a claim to scientific
Endorsement that they readily
find believers among all classes of
people. That the prolonged howlings of a
dog presage death in the family which
happens to own the animal is profoundly
believed by many ignorant people, and
| this superstition may be taken as an ilus-
trative example of the first of the three
classes which have been mentioned. To
| exemplify the poetical class no better one
can be cited than the very pretty, yet al
| together unwarranted, belief that at the
seaside the relief of death comes to the dy-
| ing at the ebb of the tide. 1t is easy to see
how, among a sea-faring people. such a
belief could gain ground, as there can
hardly be more poetical image of soul
starting on its long journey than that pre-
sented by ship disappearing from the
shore on the receding water. There is no
| more foundation for the theory, however,
than there would be for the organization
of one setting forth that all sinful ST. Lou
isans die just as the lightning express
train leaves the union depot for Chicago,
or that the souls of good New Workers take
their flight just as the oceaM steamer leaves
its dock on its journey to Paris.
Those of the third class-the ones which
have, or seem to have scientific endorse
ment-are not so easily disposed Of, as
they have taken firm hold upon
many intelligent minds and are not want
ing of supporters on the part of those pro-
fessiOnal gentlemen who claim to know all
about the art of healing. ard are generally
credited with a close Familiarity with the
phenomena of death. In fact the doubt
arises whether, with a certain portion of
the faculty at their back, it is proper to
classify these theories among the super
stitions, and it was with view of having
the status of one of them clearly defined
that a st. Louis Post-Dispdtch reporter
called upon number of leading physi-
clans of the city and ascertained their
views upon the value Of the alleged fact
that a natural death takes place after mid
night in what are called the small hours
before dawn. AS VIII be seen below. the
doctors disagree upon the subject and the
important question must be considered to
be still an open one.
The first medical authority to be con-
suited was DIR. Van Studdiford, who stated
promptly that he did not believe in any
such theory. His experience had shown
him that people die at all hours within the
twenty-four. He had heard the theory
that natural death was more likely to oc-
cur after midnight and before dawn, but
never on medical authority. He believed
that the theory was the work of some
dreamer who had evolved it during a rest
less sleep. DIR. Van Studdiford closed his
terse review of the question with the utter
ance: "The medical books contain no mon
ogram on the subject and this fact shows
that it has never received the serious at
tention of medical men-this, doubtless,
because it is not worthy of it."
DIR. J. B. johnson says: "A great deal
has been written upon the subject. which
is an interesting lone and one worthy of
study. do not think that any one physi-
clan can, by virtue of his own observa-
tions, be an authority on the subject.
Palmer, if l remember right, has some in
structive tables upon this very subject.
have no time to look him up now; but if
you will cali Friday, l shall, III the mean
time. consult him. and l will them lie. you
know more about the matter Than at pres
ent''
DR.. Kingsley said that he had no faith in
the theory. 1t was true that there was a
periodicity i'll a vitality of the human
body, which had its times of natural de-
preston and exhilaration in every twenty
four hours, but he did not believe that
death occurred more frequently during one
of the periods when the vitality of the body
is in health, lower than at other times. 1t
was undoubtedly true that in the early
hours of the morning the bodily vitality
was lower than at any other time of the
day, but it was doubtful whether this de-
preston was marked in cases of disease.
There were cancellations in all acute dis
eases, but they had no special time for
making their appearance. 1t is popular
isea, and never had its foundation in
medical mind, the doctor concluded.
DR.. J. MARITIME Kershaw promptly ranged
hlmSelI Win the supporters OF the tneOry.
He, too, cited the periodicity of the body's
vitality and said: ''The deepest, most re-
freshing sleep of those who retire at an
early hour is that which lasts up to II or
o'clock. From then to 8 or o'clock their
sleep is light and uneasy; they are then
most easily awakened. Vitality is then at
its lowest ebb and undoubtedly death
comes oftenest during these hours of the
early morning. These are the hours of
crisis in sickness. They are the hours dur
ing which the doctors get called up out of
bed with the information that the patient
has taken bad turn. Any doctor will tell
you that this is his experience"
DR.. Briggs said that the theory might or
might not be popular superstition. Many
such are utterly valueless, but some had
foundation in truth and were of impor-
tance to the profession. Which class the
theory under consideration belonged to he
could not tell from personal observation,
as he had never studied the question at all.
He knew of the case of young lady pa
tient who had regular recurring periods of
mental depression. They came on at 4
o,o ;,,f he bo hod