Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-10-21
A HUMANE BURIAL SOCIETY.

There is an impression in the minds of a
large number in Bridgeport, Conn.,, that
during the past twenty years persons sup
posed to be dead have been buried alive.
1t is conceded that instances of this char
acter have not been and in the nature of
things cannot be frequent, but the exhuma-
ton of two bodies during the period named
has disclosed the fact that the remains when
exposed to light occupied position entirely
different from that in which they were orig
inally placed. One of these bodies showed
unmistakable signs that there had been re-
vivifcation after burial, the position of the
lower limbs, arms and skull making it GER
tain that in the coffin there had been ter
rible though vain struggle for liberty. In
the other case the body was found lying
face downward, with arms dstended, the
grave clothes being out Of their natural
place and much rent. a scientific society
in Bridgeport with which well known ply
sicians and citizens are connected has dis
cussed this important matter, and at meet
ing to be held early in November will take
steps to organize humane burial society,
the object of which shall be to take charge
of the remains of supposed deceased persons
and care for them for sufficient length of
time, and under such conditions as will
make their being buried alive an impos-
sibility.
A member of the society, when spoken
to regarding the proposition, said: "The
awakening of public interest in this SUBJ
iect is one of our objects. To most peo-
pie the idea of establishing such a So
ciety will seem strange, and did | not
know how many in Bridgeport feel about
the matter [ should hesitate in taking ac-
tive part in the movement. You may not
know it, perhaps, but in Bridgeport and all
over the country there are those who have
a nervous dread that they may be buried
alive. Probably could name hundreds of
my personal acquaintances who cherish this
awful fear, and there are cases to show that
such apprehensions are not without founda-
tiop."
Another member said 1.-THE medical
fraternity now virtually confess that none of
the old accepted tests used to determine
whether or not the vital spark has fled can
be taken as conclusive. The absence of
warmth in the body; the apparent absence of
circulation, the eye test, the test with the
mirror held before the organs OF respiration,
have been proven defective iu we'll authen.
tIcated cases. by mero aCCiueut, anu
sometimes through an apparent excess of
precaution, persons pronounced by high
medical authority to be dead have emerged
from their trance condition which gave the
stimulation of death. Most medical men
will say that the only positive proof of
death, one that cannot under any circum.
stances lead to an error, is the setting in of
decomposition. The aim of the proposed
society will be to apply to our members and
such others as we may accept the charge of
this only and absolute test. Such an object
is worth working for even if it fall to the lot
of only one in 100000 to suffer the doom
of being put under ground while alive. We
know that many have suffered this fate,
how many there is no means of determining
The number deeply interested in the sub
ect is more than would naturally be be-
lieved."