Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-20
Does Death Sting?

DR.. 6. l.. Beardsiey, in the Medical and Sur
g'eGt Reporter, concludes that the dread of
dying is quite as intense as the instinct of self
preservation. Indeed. it Is not improba be
adds the doctor, that mum bers would care less
about living were the modes of leaving the
world theme for happy contemplation, or an
innovation 10 the routine Of plodding that was
agreeable one Is remarkably exempt from
the crime OF hIsty induction if he atfirins that
there u no sane or healthy mortal who antici-
pates his extinction with any degree of pleas
uFe. The function of dying is absolutely yege-
tatIve-we tail To pieces like flower. This very
Tact, mat the process Is chemical, confirms us
In tue conclusion that the final "thrOe" is as
painless as the inconvenience is nothing to the
lCetiti pilgrim when he touches on daylight. A
moments examination of the way we are to
die will show marks of goodness in our taking
OH: The degree of sensibility is proportional
u the integrity of the tissues. An inflamma-
tioA heightens 1t; age depreciates 1t. Any de-
feet In nutrition disturbs the comfort Of the In
eraed in the deHita GHo'e OF I she bSas
becoInes fixed in the cells or is no longer
DISPLACED -, Ihe sensory gangIia everywhere
tue OF this poison. and cease TO conduct cur.
rents: The criteria OF death are being satisfied,
and the process is contaminated when this ex-
tincfion OF sensibility prevails at the ultimate
h!anents. During the progress OF this dissOu-
ton OF the nerve force, this creeping on of the
nuinbness OF death, the individual is rapidly
passing into a condition OF repose and instead
OF torture or pauss degree of self-satisfac,ion
Oft approaching to enthusiasm is realized. The
operation OF opium, hashheesh, ether
&C., are not improbabiy akin to the
mental activities of the dying. Barring
the authorizations experienced in the
siupor, as Ii gains on the subject, the moribund
j. iaml lar with naught that borders on suffer-
Ing. This carbonic acid has poisoned or mar
cotiZed the several gangiia, and reflex produc.
lions are lnteTdicted. A consummate anaige, ia
prevails. IN short, the notion OF pain is for
hidden the instant that any stimulus fails TO
excite u response The condition OF this irrita-
oiiity Is That the nerve center and track be
sound il this vigor yanishes, reflex pneuurn-
eha are at AN END, and suffering phy sioog Ica lily
speaking, IS impossible, because OF the arrest Of
the iudctlon OF the sympathetic.
Fortunately for Wholesome study of ones
demise. there are assurances abundant from
viSisection, the testimony Of those VINO have
lions OF the dying that there is no ply sicai re-
coil from death. Burney tried hard to resist
the effort made 10 reSuscitate him from drow a.
ing, so bewiiched was he by his prolonged slum-
Der. Dr. Soan'ier, the traveller, was so deiigh ted
with the Sensations of excessive cold that he
was the FIRST TO lie down i'll the snow TO realize
the luxury OF such death. William Hunter
Was sorry he was not able to "write how easy
ahd delightful Ii l. 10 die" Infants die rs Sc
renOIy as they breathe. and not a few among the
advanced In year, treat death as a friend to
tfleir lnnrinlties- Hanging Is naturally rated
next TO cruclfixion, must distressing proceed.
ure. But III Is reported oil those who have been
saved from strangulation that the agony prom
lSed TO De brief, and Was rapidly replaced by
authorization Oh IL fascinating VARIETY
One would faln believe that the kind God who
suffered US to feel no sigh in coming would tax
no delight In turning our farewell into writing
nay, he does not quit Us at the last He is our
greatest beueiactor IN allowing Us TO sleep out
vi WEAKNESS. Death is, ilssuredly no tax col.
rector; ITS Jaws are not the clutches OF an as
saiiant; there Is no victory 70 the grave:" the
ghost speeds away from as as il entered with
40 ruff1e. the sense OF death, as Shakespeare
has II, IS most Ia apprehension. 1t is the fear
Oh the lonely night, not the throes OF nature
mat makes the leaving painful