Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-08-07
BURYlNG ALIVE.
Very Remarkable Instance of Resuscitation


The distinguished physician, Sir
| Henry Marsh. used to describe an event
which occurred at the beginning of his
medical career, many years before he
had reached the eminence 10 which he
afterward attained. He was called in
by the family doctor, a country practi-
tioner-to attend upon Colonel -
struck down suddenly by apoplexy.
The fit was a severe one. All efforts to
save the sick man proved unayailinp;
he never rallied, and at the end of few
days 10 all appearance breathed his last.
On the morning of the funeral the two
medical attendants deemed it right. as
last attention, to go and take leave of
the remains of their patient before the
coi1in-lid was screwed down. The fam
lily doctor, jovial iiorid parsonage. on
whom professional cares sat lightly.
had been friend, and ofttimes boom
companion, of the deceased A bottle
of port and glasses stood on a table
near the coffin. 'Ah, my poor friendr'
he said, pouring ont bumper and toss
ing it off; this was his fayorite drink.
Rare wine, too. He knew what was
good. and never spared it. Many a
generous glass we have had together.
I'll drink another to his memory" he
cried; and another and another fol-
lowed until the wine, rapidly gulped
down, and at so unwonted an hour be-
gan to tell upon the man, and make his
eyes glisten and his speech grow thick.
why should you not pledge me now
for the last time?n exclaimed the excit-
ed doctor, while he approached the
corpse, and, to Sir Henry's inexpressi-
bic disgust at such revolving levity,
pressed the glass to the pale lips. The
contents went down the Coloners
throat! Sir Henry stood amazed; his
eyes, which he was turning away from
the unbecoming spectacle were riveted
on the corpse. The joyial doctor sob
cred in moment, and staggered back.
Can a dead man drink" he cried.
"Give him more-morer' exclaimed
Sir Henry, recovering his presence of
mind and Selling the bottle. A tinge
SO light that only a medical eve could
have detected it began family 10 sufluse
the white face The doctor tore away
the shroud and placed his hand upon
the heart. There was no movement:
but they lifted the body ont of the cof-
fin and proceeded to adopt the measures
proper for resuscitation. Meanwhile
the hearse stood at the door; the funer-
al guests We're assembling outside
riages arriving; while within all was
commotion and suspense servants hur-
rying TO and fro fetching hot bricks.
stimulants, restoratiyes, in obedience to
the doctors commands; the latter ply
ing every means skill could devise To
keep the llickering spark of life from
dying out; and the startled family, half
paralyzed by the sudden revulsion,
standing around, gathered in anxious,
silent groups. Breathlessly they
watched for tidings. For long time
the result seemed doubtful doubtful
whether the bearSe before the door, the
gaping coffin, the gravecloths lying
scattered about and trampled under
foot, all the grim paraphernalia of
death, hastily discarded in the first wild
moment of hope-mght not yet be
needed to fulfill their mournful office.
But no! Breath, pulsation, conscious
ness. were slowly returning. Colonel
Ii was given back to his family
and home, filling again the place that
it was thought would know him no
more. And not until five-and-twenty
years had passed away after that mem
orable morning We're his friends sum-
moned-this time TO pay him the last
tribute.