The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-20

1T tllGel, ACCORDING 10 Ine CaDieu re-
Dorts Of the Associated Press. declares
IN the Medical Journal that feeling and
consciousness remain for three hours IN
the head decapitated Dy the guilloCre.
This statement revives in an acute form
question whi2n has been discussed for
more than a ca.tury-''Does the stroke
fthe guillotine cause instant death?"
Hitherto the authorities Of France have
assumed that the guillotine is the swiftest
and most merciful instrument for inflict-
ing the death penalty. But there nave
always been many scientists who main
tained - the brain might remain act
i've after decapitation.
Many authenticated instances are on
record in which the severed head gave
signs of life. In some cases the signs
were given in accordance with a pre-
arranged agreement.
On he other hand VI. Defbler, the noto-
rioUs French executioner. declares most
positively that the severed head has never
given a sign Of life. He has watched hun
dreGs Of heads fall and failed to observe
this phenomenon. Moreover he mas in
vestigated the alleged causes of animated
heads, and found them 10 be untrust-
worthy. Certainly NJ. Diebler is the high
est practical authority in matters Of gull
lOJining, but he is not a man of science.
He may also be suspected CT partially
toward his own profession. His crude de-
NAL does not dispose Of the scientific con-
ciusions of Dr. Cinel.
The doctor asserts that absolute death
does not follow guillotining for three
hours. The brain finds nourishment for
IN hour after decapitation. During this
time the head of the decapitated person
retains the sense Of feeling, hearing
smell and sight.
DIR. Cinel says that the blood after de-
ccpitation first comes from the large YES
GELS Of the neck, and that there is hardly
any drain upon the circulation in the era
MUM. Absolute death does not ensue for
three hours. His conclusion is that gull
lOtining is one OF the most horrible and
prolonged forms of capital punishment
In arriving at this conclusion DR.. Cinel
Is only confirming arguments and expert
ments which have been made for centu-
ries and which have been particularly fire.
uuent since the introduction of the gull
lotine at the time of the French revolu-
ton.
Towards the close Of the Reign Of Ter
ror, when every man, woman and child in
Trance was familiarized with the work OF
the guiilotine, It was generally asserted
that many decapitated heads showed signs
Of consciousness. All France believed that
the head OF Charlotte Corday blushed
when held up by the executioner, Samson.
Pitrre Gauthier IS a reputable authority
for this statement.
From that time until today a continuous
series of experiments has been made by
French physicians. with view to ascer-
tanning the truth Of these assertions and
traditions.
The most famous and sensational case
o. all is that Of Or. Couty de la Pomme-
rails. executed for murder in 1864 He
made an agreement with his friend. the
great physician Nelpeau, according to
which the latter would pick up mis- decap-
itated head and ask IL 10 close its right
eve three times. II the head did this II
would be accepted as proof of the contin-
usnce OF consciousness after decapitation-
Veipeau picked up the head Of La Pom
merais and asked the agreed question.