The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-26

cept the royal family, WHICH mas lU'
own place of the kind. There art
apartments for cases Of accident ane
infectious diseases, post-morten
room, laboratory quarters for the ad
ministration, watchmcn, attendants
and a chapel. The bodies are con
nected by the hands through wire tf
a bell, so that the slightest movemen'
would call an attendant. This con
trivance plcases the people, but it is
not valued by those in charge Of tho
mortuary as safeguard. Returning
vital activity consists of scarcely
perceptible movement Of the mouth OF
eyelids, a change Of complexion, :
slight moisture on the face, fal11
action of the heart, or warmth II
that region, or feeble thoracic move
ment, all of which could easily escape
observation and fail to set off any
device however delicate in construc
tion.
Doubts are sometimes expressed as
to the unity of these mortuaries by
persons ignorant of the examinations
the bodies receive in them and before
they are sent here.
Many high authorities could be
quoted who hold that such a system
as we are considering is necessary to
prevent living burials. but it may be
sufficient in this place to give the
opinion of one whose knowledge of
the subject no one will question,
namely, the Mayor of Munich. In
the report of the Municipal Council of
Paris for 1880, No. ia, page 81, is a
letter from Herr Ehrhart, Mayor of
Munich, dated May 2, 1880, saying
"The lengthy period during which
these establishments have been util-
lied. the manner in which the remains
are disposed and adorned, the resusci-
tation of some who were believed to
be dead, all contributed to remove any
sentimental objections to these estab-
lishments.
Although this system as it is opera
ted at present is in high favor with all
classes, it is not regarded as above
further improvement. Therefore, the
authorities Of Munich have lately sent
out commission to investigate the
way the matter is conducted in some
of the large cities in Austria, and the
city has planned mortuary for the
Southern Cemetery upon a costly
scale, surprising anything of the kind
before attempted in Germany.
4 considerable amount of interest
is manifest at present in England.
France, Germany and italy upon this
subject. 4 number Of treatiscs and
pamphlets upon it have Of late been
published. The last to appear were
"La Mort Reele ct la Mort Appar-
ente. Paris, 1897, and Premature
Burial and How it May be Prevent
ed" London, 1896.
The London Association for the
Prevention of Premature Burials was
organized two years ago for the pur-
pose of securing protective legislation
in this matter similar to that which is
in force in the German States. Its
investigations into this subject have
been extensive and in many countries,
and they show that the victims OF
death counterfeits arc mostly among
women and children, the neurotic.
those given to cxcesscs, and persons
whose strength has been reduced by
mental and physical strain; and that
there are thirty diseases, conditions,
happenings and indulgcuccs that in
duce these states.
There is at present medical com
mission in session at Turin, Italy
convened to investigate the means fol
Distinguishing apparent from rca
death. with the view Of protective leg
islation, and it offers prize for the
best work on the solution of the prob
lem. Reports are expected from al
over the world.
The experiences and opinions oI
medical men and the action of the
legal authorities in Europe in Thu
matter may interest their confrcrcs IL
America. when, in time, they als'
take it up for consideration. They
will, however, find Ii more Difficult
question to deal with than it has beer
on this side of the water for the,
will have not only to inquire into wha
legal provisions are necessary to pre-
vent premature burials, but also t
.,rn un.os