The Red Cloud chief., 1888-08-31
Is DEATH PAINLESS:

Is DEATH PAINLESS:
DR.. hammond Answers the Ques-
ton in the Affirmative.
1t is only necessary to see Il person die to
be convinced that so far FROM being 4 pain.
full process the act of death is rather pleas
ant than otherwise, writes DIR. William w.
Hammond in the St. Louis F0st-DEpatch.
The physical phenomena that leads up 10 the
departure of vitality from the body arc
often characterized by great suffering.
There NAV be pain suffocation due to the ir-
regularity in the action OF the heart and
lungs, and above all intense mental
anguish. But when death begins all feel
ing of discomfort in mind or body diSap-
pears; pain in whatever part it may be sit
uated ceases to be perceived; the heart
may beat with still greater ~irregalarity, the
lungs fail st II more notably to perform
their functions: nothing has happened to
dissipate the fear or remorsc or sorrow that
hare harrassed the dying person, but the
~perceptions. the intellect. the emotions, tho
will arc blunted and no longer respond to
excitations that formerly moved them.
Death as we see it in persons who have
suffered from q more or less protracted Ill
ness is no. generally an act that is accom-
plished in q few moments of time. 1t may
even last for several hours, during which
period the vital forces nre cxtingulshed
little by little, SO gradually in fact that wc
are not able to determine the exact instant
1t which life becomes kline
Psychologists speak of death as occurring
through the cessation Of the action OF either
the brain or the heart or the lungs. But
The brain can not be regarded rs an organ
absolutely essential to life, however neccs-
sary it may be to its regular and systematic
course. The entire organ may be removed
from certain kinds of animals and yet lite
goes almost as perfectly for a I'M as though
l. were still there todominate the rest Of the
body. The heart beats, the lungs respirc,
b stomach digests. AND the several glands
continue to elaborate the secretions proper
10 them, And not only all this, but actions
are performed which are well calculated to
excite astonishment in those who see them
for the first time and who rave embraced
tie idea that all intelligence resides in the
brain. Thus, for instance, il. the brain DO
entirely removed from the head Of q frog
and the web between the toes be pinched
the limb is Immediately withdrawn; if tho
shoulder he scratched with q needle the
hind foot of the same side is raised to re-
move the instrument; if the animal is held
up by onc leg it struggles; If placed on its
back-a position to which frogs lave a great
antipathy-it Immediately turns over on its
belly; if one foot be held firmly with a pair
OF foreps the frog endeavors to draw it
away; if unsuccessful it places the other
foot aSains: the instrument and pushes
firmly in the effort to remove it; still not
succeeding it writhes the body from side to
side II makes q movement forward. /
have seen g rattiesnake strike after its head
was cut of. and a viper has been known to
crawl strIjgh: for its hole in the wall after |
suffering ike mutilation.
Nor arc ;':c,i experiments the only cvi- |
dence w. have that life ma persist though |
the brain be absent. Ii sometimes happens |
that individuals of the human species are |
born without bgains. In one instance of the |
kind life was present for six months. |
Though very feeble this being had the
facaity OF sucking and tho several functions
OF the body seemed to be well performed. |
Its eyes clearly perceived the light and dur
ing the night it cried if the candle was al
lowed TO 60 out. After death the Uranium
was opened and there was found to be an
entire absence of the ccrcbrum. In an
other case, that Of a male infant which
eighteen hours, there was found
after death no vestige Of a brain. neverthe-
respiration was established; the pupils
the light; bitter juice put into
the mouth was Immediately rejected and
loud noises caused movements of tho BODY.
In another case IN which the Uranium was
entirely empty life continued for four days,
yet this beng opened aud shut its eyes,
cried, sucked and even ate broth.
The brain, therefore, is essential to life
Duly 50 far as it is essential to the contin-
ned action Of the heart and lungs. When it
8 tho scat of disease in certain of its parts
action of all the organs Of the body is
more or less impaired although they may
their functions in such q manner
IS not to be Immediately destructive to life.
is only when brain disease leads ( the
Of the action Of the heart or lungs
hat death becomes inevitable.
Death beginning at the heart occurring
.ither a the result Of brain injury or dis
ace. or like factors affecting he organ
tself. may take place suddenly or
a very considerable period OF
lime has elapsed. In neither case 10
he act of death painful. Should tho
.eart stop suddenly the brain is at once de-
of it's due supply Of blood; all sensi-
,;I;tr Il Immediately abolished. There are
|, fcw imperfect respirations and life has
probably withoutthc stricken per-
-, h,v;ne the slightest consciousness from
~ uo,nent that the current OF blood failed
p ..ach his brain. Such cases are compare
t;,,eIv i~nfreouent. but they arc common
S"ss,ch for us TO have become acquainted
I:Uue 80 nhenomena bv which they are
'ns-.c4er;sed. The aspect Of . person dy-
= thc manner described shows that
ss-a h.. heen no suffering, mental or pay
sss;,;or # ~ body that Of entire repose.