The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-03-23

secret pOlS0ner nOurlSheu ana chemists
had not yet learned to detect the pres
ence in the dead body of the harmful
substance which had been given with
criminal intent. 1t is known that ar
senic in some form was the usual and
most certainly deadly of the
destructive agents employed. But
it is very likely that the sleeping po-
tom was prepared from something
containing opium. In the absence OF
skilled physicians-and at that time
there were few in the entire world-it
was easy enough to represent the indi-
vidual in deep stupor as already dead.
as well as to hasten the funeral. Pre-
mature burial was probably not at all
uncommon in those "good old times. ="
OF course, this is all pure speculation.
bntit is somewhat interesting to those
who take an interest in such matters.
Late in the progress of organic dis
ease of the heart, particularly when
fatty degeneration has nearly COM
pleted the work of destruction that has
been begun by overgrowth and nearly
finished by overdilatation. there may
come time when the organ becomes
overdistended in all its cavities with
blood. The circulation stagnates all
over the body. because the few remain
ing muscular fibers in the heart are so
nearly paraiyzed by overstraining that
the contractions of that organ almost
entirely disappear. They become inn
perceptible to the touch and ear. The
brain receives very little blood, and
what is sent there is deficient in oxy-
gen. AS consequence consciousness
is abolished; the pulse can be no longer
felt in any artery; the surface becomes
cold and blush, and to the ordinary
observer life appears extinct. A few
years ago, DR.. Reid. of Hot Springs.
Ark. reported case of this kind. in
which. preparations for burial had
been made, but where. by well-directed
efforts, stimulants, friction. etc, ami
nation was restored and life was pro-
longed for several weeks. 1t is proba-
bic that If premature burial had taken
place in this case. the suspended ami
nation would have been followed by
death without a return of conscious
ness on the part of the victim. Pro-
found weakening of the hearts action
by other causes. such as partial suffo-
cation. profuse hemorrhage. etc. may
lead to a similar condition of affairs.
1t is only necessary to mention the
possibility of such an occurrence to
suggest the proper means to be used
to prevent any unfortunate accident
of the kind from taking place.
The fear of apparent death being
mistaken for the genuine article has
inspired the most elaborate prepara-
tons against the possibility of such an
event Prizes have been offered for the
discovery of signs which can be implic-
lilly trusted to establish the fact that
death has taken place. Elaborate con-
trivances have been devised to show
by the ringing of bells, or the breaking
of an electric circuit, that some move
ment had been made by the supposed
dead body. The keeping of the dead
in situations where they can be OBJ
served until the beginning of putre-
faction: the testing of the muscles by
electricity. from time to time. to show
the presence or absence OF contractil-
ity: the tieing of ligature around
finger so tightly as to interfere with
the return of blood through the veins
while the arteries are unobstructed.
have all been suggested. The two
methods last named are the most trust
worthy, and may be relied upon to tell
the truth.
In the true post-morter rigidity. to
be observed usually within six to eight
hours after life has ceased, the muscles
undergo change that utterly units
them for contractions of any kind. and
this ''electro-muscular contractility"
never reappears after it has once
ceased. The test may be made by ap-
plying a current from \ galvanic bat
terry Of moderate intensity. either to
the muscle itself, or intermediately
through some large nerve-trunk going
to the limb where the muscle is to be
tested. If both these forms of electrical
testing fail to produce shortening of
the muscles in all four limbs. it may be
concluded that life is really extinct.
The electrical test is conclusive. but
is not always available. because bat
terry of the right kind can not always
be had. The ligature about a finger or
thumb is the next best to be had. The
cord should not be tied very closely.
otherwise the feeble circulation may
not be sent through the arteries If
there is any power in the heart left. it
will send little blood beyond the
cord. which. obstructing the veins. will
not permit it to return to the body.
Swelling of the limb beyond the cord
is conclusive evidence that life still
persists. while the contrary is the case
if the veins do not fill to an extent that
is appreciate. In case doubt as to the
reality of death having taken place
still persists. the body should be kept in
q warm room until there is some sign
of decomposition to be observed. Un-
der such conditions. if death is genuine.
the evidences of decay will not be long
delayed.
The importance of certain rare forms
of disease of the nervous system in
causing apparent death is often grossly
exaggerated. In catalepsy the temper
ature usually falls little below that of
the healthy human body. but never
Stimulates the icy GOODNESS of death.