The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-02-26
BURIAL OF LIVING PEOPLE
MASSACHUSETTS, LEGISLATURE
is ASKED TO PREVENT 1T.
NJ 0ical Expert Gives Sterling Testi-
mony. A Harvard Professor
Had Narrow Escape.

Horrors of premature burial have
become so impressive to two justices
of the supreme court of the United
States that they have engaged Dr.
John Dixwell of Harvard University
to guarantee that they shall not be
buried alive, says a Boston dispatch.
Dr. Dixwell also told the committee
on legal affairs of the Massachusetts
legislature that many years ago he
was himself pronounced dead by dis
tinguished physicians and barely es-
capped horrible fate.
Witnesses told the committee that
by estimate two people out of every
one thousand are buried alive.
Numerous terrifying instances were
cited in an effort to have the com
mittee report bill making proof of
death compulsory. There is no such
law in Massachusetts now.
The bill provides that local boards
of health shall be notified within six
hours of the death of any person and
that as soon as possible they shall
cause an examination to be made of
the reported deceased; that certifica-
ton of death shall only be issued af-
ter ten tests have been made for
heart action respiration, muscles
and use of simultaneous injection of
ammonia to ascertain dissolution, the
purpose being to prevent burial alive.
There shall be suitable rooms set
apart for these tests if not made at
the domicile by three, and not less
than two, physicians.
The bill provides a penalty of one
thousand dollars fine or years inn
prisOnment for violation of the act.
Dr. Dixwell urged that the state
should endeavor to relieve the deadly
and widespread worry caused by fear
of premature burial.
A notable case showing the diff
Guilty of knowing whether a patient
is really dead was told of Natick
man who was laid out for two days,
presumably dead, but who was en-
tirely conscious and afterward COM
planned of an undertaken who lifted
his head by the nose.
Frederick w. Briggs, member Of
the state embalming board, opposed
the bill and resented aspersions upon
doctors and undertakers.
Judge Logged E. Chamberlain of
Brockton made a forceful argument
for the bill.
IF there is a single case where a
person has been declared dead and
prepared for burial before the life
has left his body" he said with
earnestness, that ought to be
enough for the passage of proper
Legislation. And we have none on
the books today. The physician, too,
frequently takes the word of friends
or of the undertaken.
Judge Chamberlain cOntended that
the state, in the exercise of its paren-
tai duty, should take up this matter
THE only way to do it in the light
of science is to provide that there
shall be positive proofs from positive
tests.
"Undertakers will tell you that
they embalm." he continued. Yes,
they do embalm; but if they do the
embalming that will kill, if life is
there, is it any more than murder?'
The Judge said that his own mother
had had bitter experience in her
youth, and it followed her through
out life.
Il came very near being buried
alive myself in the early 70's, said
DR.. Dixwell. VERY eminent physl-
clans determined that / was dead and
gave me up, but after an hour or so
| thought l wouldn't die and so | am
alive today, while they are all dead.
DR.. Henry |. Bowditch was the chief
of the consultation at my bedside,
and | will never forget how surprised
he was to find me alive next morning.
Tho horror exists as fact, ana IL
can't be disputed. : | have two JUS
tices of the supreme court OF the
United States whom l promised
would see they should not be buried
alive. | recall a case at the GEN
eral Hospital of a woman sent there
with bronchitis After time 1t was
decided that she was dead and she
was sent to the morgue. There she
suddenly woke up and is alive to-
day.
Worry kills." said the doctor, "as
we'll as disease. 1t becomes a regular
monOmania with some natures, ana
thew go wild over the fear of being
buried alive. If the state should
stop that | believe it would be wise
thing to do
CEADnARn To CIT WAGES,