J. D. JOHNSON, M. D., one of Pennsylvania's eminent physicians, in the sixteenth edition of his Therapeutic Key, published in Philadelphia, writes as follows:—
In all cases of apparent death occurring suddenly, or from external violence, and whenever there is any doubt in the matter, extraordinary precautions should be taken in order to settle the question. The cessation of respiration and circulation (so far as can be observed) does not determine the matter, and even the absence of animal heat is not conclusive, for life may exist and recovery take place where this is not an attendant. In all doubtful cases the following tests should be applied:—
1. Apply the stethoscope to determine if the heart is acting.
2. Put the body in a dark room, place the hand (with fingers close together) between the eye and a lighted candle; if life is not extinct, hand will show transparent redness as in life.
3. Tie a cord tightly around a finger; if the end becomes swollen and red, life is not extinct.
4. Inject a few drops of aqua ammonia under the skin; if life still exists a red or purple spot will form.
5. Insert a bright, steel needle into the flesh; allow it to remain half an hour; if life is extinct it will tarnish by oxidation.
6. Place the surface of a cold mirror over the mouth; if moisture condenses on the surface respiration has not ceased.
7. In from 12 to 18 hours after death eyeballs become soft, inelastic, feel flaccid.
8. In from 8 to 12 hours after death hypostasis or congestion of blood in capillaries begins to form in all depending parts of the body.
9. Putrefaction is positive proof of death, and unless this takes place by the end of the third day, interment should be postponed until it does.
As our own father, having been pronounced by the physicians dead, and all preparations made for his funeral, came very near being buried alive, we feel, perhaps more than any of our readers, the importance of the above subject.—Geo. T. Angell.