The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-07-25
How Some People Die.

How entirely the mental state Of the dying
depends upon their physical condition has been
most clearly shown by Miss Nightingale,
whose testimony is corroberated by experience
ed surgeons on and off the battle field. The
agony incident upon the last stages Of some
diseases is so acute that the most pious some
times succumb to despair. Consumptiyes fire.
queuily die in seraphic JOY and peace; for their
passing away Is not only comparatively pain
less, but is consequent upon a thorough ex-
haustion Of the system, such as robs even the
Imagination Of all power Of vivid action, and
leaves it in a condition to receive only faint
and negative impressions In death from old
age and kindred causes, where the mind has
free scope and is neither harassed nor disturbed
in its action by physical pain, the comforting
assurance Of a genuine religion are most clearly
manifest. as rule, in acute cases, interest
in personal danger is seldom felt, and there is
a manifest indifference, excepting with regard
TO personal suffering, or to some duty the dy-
ing man desires to perform. Cholera, portion
it's, and like complaints rob the soul Of life,
and plunge It IN the deepest despair. In dis
ehtery, diarTea or fevers there is usually a
mental eDnui that is equal to positive and alb
solute Indifference Those who die by the
sword or any sharp instrument preserve a
peaceful countenance, indicating an insidious
stealing away life's ebbing tide. On the con-
trary, gunshot wounds produce great pain and
lamentations and most hideous visions
A rapid death by steel is almost painless.
A bullet lascarates, but sabre edge or pom
lard point divides the nerves too quickly to
enable them TO transmit to the failing brain
distinct and definite sensations Of pain. Death
by drowning is proverbially peaceful. There
IS gradual blOtung out Of consciousness. The
soul seems TO soak up the water like sponge,
deriving no torment from the process, and the
faculties are seTerally swallowed up as natiIr-
ally as when sleep approaches. Intense cold
lays seige to the brain, cuts of communication
by tue nerves, which become torpid and lose
their conducting powers. The Imagination
and consciousness are alike preserved from q
rude,shock. A cut throat hurts, Of course, but
not 10 an agoniziDg degree, although it would
appear otherwise to those who have heard the
sad, shill voice Of the pig in like extremity.
OF all acute and protracted diseases small pox
is oftenest attended by EXTREMIST torture, phys
zeal and mental. Especially in bemorrhagic
cases the patient loses control Of his senses
1t not unfrequently happens that delirium pre-
cedes death, and the unfortunate sufferer, spr-
iDgiDg from bis bed, rushes out into tie open
air uttenng shrieks and beating bis body.
: In yellow fever, sudden exposure brings on
speedy dissolution Yellow fever, having run
its course, merges into the black vomit, and
assitnde and exhaustion full the victim into
Inconsistencies Death is comparatively pain
less, or rather the torment Of the nerves does
not reach the brain. The majority Of the IN
sane, throwing of this mortal coil, as they do,
under the influence Of mental delusions, are
subject to exSruciatiDg pains. Bronchial afec-
;iols terminate y dsspEir. Death by hanging