Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1889-08-29
SUSPENDED ANIMATION.
The Celebrated and Woll-Auth onttc0AOA
Case Of tho FSkir OF Lahors.


that an apparent cessation of all tho
vital functions may take place without
that entire loss Of vitality which woult
leave the organism in the condition OF
a.dead body. liable to be speedily dis
intograted by the operation Of chom-
ical and physical agencies" It is also
apparently a fact that such apparent
cessation of all the vital functions
may continue for an indefinite period
when the right conditions exist. The
best known illustration of this is the
case OF the fakir of Lahoro. who was
bu led for six weeks, ut the instance
OF Runjeet Singh, as attested by Sir
Claude Wade, the British resident at
the court OF Loodhiana, in 1887 In
this thoroughly authenticated case
which, however, is but one of q class
of similar facts known to Anglo-ln-
dams and travelers-the fakir was first
put into linen bag, the bag was put
into d wooden box. fastened with
paddock, the wooden Eox, was de-
posted in q cell in the middle
of a large brick vault every aperture
Of which but one was bricked up, while
the remaining door was built up
with mud above the lock, and fastened
with the Rajah's seal AS final pre-
caution q company. of soldiers was
detailed to guard the vault day and
night. four sentries constantly patrol
ling its four sides during the whole
period. When at the expiration of
six weeks the vault and the box were
SUCCESSFULLY opened Sir Claude Wade.
who with Runjoet Singh had entered
the building and taken their places
. close TO the body so as to see every
thing, says this is what appeared be-
fore them: Tho servant then began
pouring. warm water over the figure,
but as my object was to see if any
fraudulent practices could be detected
proposed to Runjeet Singh to tear
open the bag and have perfect view
Of the body before any means of resus-
citation were employed. according
ly did SO, and may here remark that
the bag, whom first soon by US, up
peared mildewed, Us it had been bur-
led some time. The legs and arms Of
the body were shrivolcd and stiff, the
face full, tho hoad reclining on the
shoulder like that of corpse. then
called to the medical gentleman who
was attending me TO come down and
inspect the body, which he did, but
could discover no pu'sation in the
heart, the temples, or the arm. There
was. however, q heat ut the region OF
the brain, which no other pact of the
body exhibited.
The servant then recommended
bathing him with hot water, and grad
uaIly relaxing MS arms md legs from
the rigid state III which Jhey were con-
tractod, Runlet Singh taking his
right ana his left log, to aid by fric-
ton in restoring them to their proper
action; during which timo tho servant
placed a hot wheatep cake, about an
inch thick. on The top of tho head, a
process which no twice or thlico re-
newed. lie then pulled ont of his DOS
trils and ears the wax and cotton with
which they were, stopped; and after
great exertIon opened bis mouth by
inserting tho point Of n knife between
bis teeth, and while holding his jaws
open with his left hand drew the
tongue forward with his right. in tho
course of which the tongue flow hack
several times to its curved position
upward, in which It had originally
been, 40 IA TO close tho gullot. lilo then
rubbed his eyeids with ehee, or c'arl-
fed butter. for como seconds, un-
til he succeeded In opening them.
when the eyes appeared quito
motionless and glazed. After the cake
had been applied for the third time
the top of his bead his body was vio-
leDtly convulsed. the no.trils became
inflated, respiration ensued and tho
limbs began TO assume natural full
ness, but the pulsation was still faint
ly perceptible The servant then put
some of the ghee on his tongue and
made him swallow It. A few minutes
nfterward the eyeballs became dilated
and recovered their natural color.
when the iakir. recognizing Rum
Singh sitting close to him. articulated
In low, sepulchral tone, scarcely