Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-04-04

Some Time After Dissolution.
You often meet with the phrase
death was instantaneous" and you
believe it, but instant death is impossi-
bic.
a professor has been studying the
subject, q man of renown in his own
world, and he has discovered certain
important data proving conclusively
that no one can meet with instant
death. He works out his theory on the
data afforded by the physiology OF cells.
He states that no one yet has proved
the difference between a dead and a live
brain cell. When this has been done,
then we can more easily ascertain how
long q time elapses before the death of a
cell takes place.
But, first, what is q cell? To be brief.
both plants and Misunderstanding OF
course. - built up Of units, ele-
mentary units, which you can only de-
tect under the microscope. Now, each
tiny cell is u vital elementary unit. We
are nothing bur highly developed results
of the individual vitality of huge guam
titles of these fundamental cells
As this is undeniably so, how is II
possible, by simple decapitation, say,
to u instant death in the millions of
cells which compose the brain? II IS
known that brain cells have their own
cell life and are liable TO live q certain
time after they are cut off from outside
nutrition without the supply of any
blood whatever from the body. The
n~ourishment is supplied inside the cell
walls, and it can go on living after oe-
ing cut off from other resources.
From this argument it is clear to the
professor that these millions OF cells in
the brain must continue to live after
death has apparently intervened-that
is, when death appears, but only on the
outside, 10 have been instantaneous.
After a mans leg is cut of, or an
animals, you can stimulate the nerves
for a long time, but you cannot do it
after the cells are dead. You cannot get
any response at all.
Electricity has been thought to be the
germ of life, but this is a fanciful the
ory when confronted with h new laws
as by research established.
The countless millions Of cells Of
which bodies are entirely composed
contain the germ of life, and it is i'm
possible for these to be visited with an
instantaneous unconsciousness
You can take living cells from a pigs
glands. and this same professor will
demonstrate TO you that after these
glands have gone through their prepara-
ton the cells are still living.
But the curious fact remains that at
present there are no data showing the
supposed length of time It takes for the
cells of the brain TO empty themselves
of the germ Of consciousness or life, but
it is certain that consciousness does not
cease Immediately after, say, a head
has been cut off a body. The belief,
however, is that at least four or five
minutes must elapse ere death finally
steps in to arrest life.
1t has been noticed in the case of q
decapitated head that the cheeks remain
red for some minutes after the sever
ance. a conclusive proof that the cells
are living.
The heads of decapitated animals
have continued to bite and snap at the
air for three or four minutes after sew
erance. This phenomenon is well mark
ed in the head OF a tortoise separated
from the body. The life of the brain,
therefore. must be retained for some
time after the head is severed, from the
very fact that, though being separated
from the trunk, its nutritious blood and
gases, taken from the fund stored up IN
the cells, are in sufficient quantity to
carry on life, but for what exact period
is unknown
Do the brain cells die simultaneously
No, because they have their W lDdl-
yidual cell life. Our scientific friend
also makes the very startling statement
that in many diseases the brain cells,
although the person to all appearances
is dead, may live for three or four hours
after supposed death has taken place
In the case of a healthy person being
hanged, seeming death is not instanta-
neous at all. Organic motion is arrest
ed. but real death is certainly not in
Simultaneous The brain cells are the last
70 die. and life is not really extinct I'M
til rigor mortis sets in, which, in the
CASE Of a healthy person dying sudden
ly, is protracted.
Now. when it is known that an ordl-
nary cell lives after being removed from
3 living body, why, then, cannot the
brain cells retain their life when the
conditions Immediately surrounding
them are much the same as during their
previous existence?
The head of a chicken was cut Or
and after certain stimuli had been
made it opened its mouth and gasped
five minutes after its head had been
decapitated from the body.
The head of a certain animal was cut
off and found susceptible to light for
many minutes after it was apparent
" dead. \ strong electric light was
held in front of the eyes and moved
alternately near to and far away from
them The pupils of the eyes followed
the light in its movements, expanding
and contracting, that is to say, focus
ing themselves upon the light as ii
moved backward and forward. It was
proved that the animal was capable OF
smelling by the use of certain pungent
odors placed near the nasal organs