Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-06

that many of the signs of death are
identical with those of trance. He
says also that in some cases of trance
the coffined are mute witnesses of
their W funerals, unable to protest
or give a sign. He cites many cases
which have occurred in Europe, the
authenticity of which NAV not be
doubted. He suggests thai a simple
test for rich and o alike which
may be applied at the bedside in a
few minutes is needed most urgently.
Many physicians say that putrefac-
ton is the only sure test. but as the
law now stands at the board of health
a body may not be kept more than
four days and must then be buried out
of sight. In boarding houses and ho-
tells bodies are almost always ordered
out by the proprietors at once, leaving
no time whatever for a subject to ne
suscitate before being coffned.
DR.. Justin. Herold gave much time
to the subject of premature burial, and
made tests covering many years and
performed on many bodies. file rave
the following tests after saying: 1--WE
know that there are diseases in which
occur total cessation of all the appar-
ent functions of vitality. and yet in
which these cessations are merely sus-
pensions properly so-called. They are
temporary pauses in the Incompetent
sible mechanism. A certain period
elapses and some unseen mysterious
principle is again set in motion. The
silver cord was not wholly loosened.
when there is a tota! cessation of
all vital animal functions it means
death. The organs not only cease to
act, but they lose the susceptibility of
renewed action. Yet this is really the
really dead for some time after death
and that life may continue in the cells
for several days.
"In another work | read that the
smell of earth seems to awaken the
dead. From another source | learn
that the earth is a vita!izer. So n
may presume that, life still existing,
the body may again resume its func-
tons. DIR. Hero!d says also that a
child even after birth may live with
out breathing, apparently. Many cas-
es are cited. He gives this to show
that a stoppage of respiration doe
not in all cases prove death. Even the
pulse may be absent although cardiac
contraction goes on. He saws that, in
his opinion, when the heart has ceased
to beat for twenty minutes. resuscita-
ton is impossible"
The tests given by this doctor are:
cessation of respiration; a mir
test: feather test; water or mer-
curry test; stethscopic test; rhythmic
of the tongue.
2.-Cessation of circulation; steth-
test; ligature test; scarification
and %cupping; opening of an artery;
needle test (Cloquet's): fiuorescenee
test; injection of a~mmounia; diaphan-
ous test; Roentgen ray.
3.-Changes in the eve test by
light; test by hydriatics; test by
opthalmoscope; test by opthalmotome-
ter
4.-Loss of animal heat; tempera-
low.
5.-Loss of sensation and motion;
test; heat test: caustic test.
6.-Muscular fiacidity and contrac-
1.-Cadayeric echymoses, lecidity of
nypostases.
S.-Rigor mortis.
9.-Putrefaction.
He carefully discusses all these
and shows clearly that no test
AN definitely be relied upon, except
ng putrefaction. unless it be possibly
he prompt and immediate opening of
he radial or temporal artery. He says
hat this test should be made upon all
lead bodies at once. The arteries OF
he dead should be empty. If there is
ife in a body, he holds, blood will flow
rom the artery.
In a copy Of the Medical News of
.Ss5 is given a description of an
to prevent the possibility OF
buried alive. Il is IN expensive
,ieee Of mechanism. The coffin IS
provided with air holes and the lid is
astened down so a light touch will
'Den it. and this instead of being bur-
ed, is put in a metallic vault with six
ee5 high and nine feet long. in which
person might stand or even walk.
/ allows an abundant supply of air.
he same spring that opens The cof-
communicates with the sections
nom by an electric cOntriyance.