Premature Burial and How It May Be PreventedTebb, William
Science
Premature Burial and How It May Be Prevented
Tebb, William
Burial, Premature
(2) If the eyelids when pulled asunder remain open, and the eyes
themselves appear sunken into their sockets, dulled, and lustreless,
also if the eyeballs feel soft and relaxed.
(3) If parts of the body are pale and cold, if chin and nose are
pointed, if cheeks and temples are sunken.
(4) If the lower jaw hangs down and immediately drops again if pushed
up, or if the muscles feel hard and stiff (rigidity).
(5) If the skin of the fingers held against one another, held towards
light, do not appear reddish.
(6) If a feather or burning candle held against the mouth show no sign
of motion, or if there is no sign of moisture upon a looking-glass
held before the mouth.
(7) If on different parts of the body, particularly the neck, back, or
posterior, or the undersurface of the extremities there are bluish-red
spots (death spots) visible.
(8) If the skin, particularly at the sides of the stomach, show a
dirty-green discoloration (decomposition spots).
The non-Medical Inspector has to observe at least all the symptoms 1
to 4.
In doubtful cases the Medical Inspectors are advised to test the
muscles and nerves by electric currents.
IV.
If the inspection gives rise to suspicions of apparent death
(Scheintod), the inspector must (if he is not himself a doctor)
immediately call for the assistance of a practised physician, so as to
establish the actual condition, and to adopt the necessary measures
for resuscitation, as follows:--
(1) Opening of the windows, and warming the room.
(2) Efforts at artificial respiration.
(3) Applications of warm mustard-plaisters to the chest and the
extremities.
(4) Rubbing with soft brushes, with cloths saturated in vinegar, or
spirit of camphor, also with hot woollen cloths.
(5) Irritation of the throat with a feather.
(6) Smelling sal-ammoniac.
(7) Dropping from time to time a few drops of “extract of balm” or
similar essences into the mouth.
Unless medical aid has meanwhile arrived, the application of these
measures must be continued until the apparently dead comes, back to
life, and begins to swallow, in which case he ought to have warm
broth, tea, or wine, or until there is absolutely no doubt as to the
total ineffectiveness of all attempts at reanimation.
CHAPTER XIV.
DURATION OF DEATH-COUNTERFEITS.
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