The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-01


often its natural consequences. TIL,
Academy of Sciences of Paris propose,
the following questions: "What are TIT
| distinctive characters of apparent death
| and what are the means TO prevent pre-
mature burial? Only one essay seemed
worthy of the reward. and the reputed in
fallible sign was the prolonged absence
of the beating of the heart on ausculta
ton. But very soon cases were reported
where the most Conscientious auscul ia
ton had failed to reveal even the least
trembling of the heart, and yet life was
not extinct.
"Moved by this sad condition a grea
phiianthropist, the Marquis d'Ourehes
bequeathed to the Academy of Medicine
oil Paris 5000 francs for the founding oil
two prizes, the first, 10000 francs. for the
discovery of a simple and vulgar popular
means of recognizing, IN a sure and in.
dubitable manner) signs of real death
the second, 5000 francs, for the best
means OF recognizing the signs of real
death by means of electricity, galvanism
or any other process requiring either the
Intervention of a medical man or the APP
plication of substances not within the
reach OF every one. That prize never was
awarded, and believe that a prize is still
offered every year on the same subject.
Cardinal Dounet's Experienced.
THE number of individuals recorded
as actually or nearly buried alive is large
let us hope that it has been exaggerated.
One author alone, Bruhier, gathered 122
cases, 10 actually buried before death,
four opened before death and 103 of per-
sons reported dead without being so, of
whom the greater number revived before
burial. am not going to relate all the
marvellous stories which a within, perhaps,
created, or which have been gathered
lightly. But there are some of which the
most obstinate skepticism cannot destroy
the frightful reality. One of the most
celebrated of these is the touching story
of Cardinal Dounet, a French senator,
which he related himself in the senate
chamber. On a hot summer day, while
he was young priest, in a crowded
church, he was seized in the pulpit
with a sudden dizziness. His lips re-
fused to move, he sank to the floor, and
the attendants carried him away. There
was so little doubt of his actual death
that few hours later the funeral bell was
tolled. He could not see, but he could
hear, and he endured the exquisite pain
OF hearing the physicians declare that he
was dead. He heard the doctor inquire
his age and place of birth, and heard him
give the permit of interment for the next
day. The venerable bishop, in whose
cathedral he had been preaching. came to
recite de profundls. The dimensions
for the coffin had been taken, when at
length, amid the many voices about him,
the young priest distinguished one that
had marvellous effect upon him. With
a great effort he was able to move, and
the next day he appeared in the pulpit as
usual. 1t was 40 years afterward that he
in the senate chamber the story of
his terrible experience.
II have spoken of paper read before
the Medico-Legal society in 1879. 1t was
by DR.. Beach on inspection of the Dead
1T is not very unusual thing he said,
Tor physician to furnish a certificate of
death before the actual demise of his pa
tlent, and we all know of instances where,
in such cases, the doctors gloomy prog
nosis has not been verified, and the indi-
vidual whom he has consigned to the
tomb has perhaps had the singular expert
ence of reading the document, which,
under ordinary circumstances, ought to
be conclusive evidence of his own death.
The only certitication required by the
board of health is the burial certificate,
which is accepted if given by any physi-
,ian who has attended the deceased per-
'on, even though he did not see HIM inn
nediately before death, and it is not re-
Iured by the board of health that he |
hall see the dead body at all before |
irving it. 1t may be admitted that if |
! body could always be properly kept and |
carefully watched for a sufficient time |
life, If it existed, would in all probability |
manifest itself and prevent any chance of |
,urial alive. But as soon as possible |
fter breath is supposed to have left it,
he body is subjected to the temperature
# ice. One effect only could follow; if |
he vital spark were present it would take
My a short time TO extinguIsh it en-
rely"
"Do not understand me to say" the
octor concluded. "that there is no way of
with certainly upon the state
{ life or death. But nature seems to
ave reserved that privilege to itself. The
My sign which by itself and in itself
death infallibly is the de-
of the body"