LIFE AND DEATH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 122, 9 June 1870, Page 7

LIFE AND DEATH.

A UEMAEKA.BLE CASE — APPABENT DEATH BUT NO DECOMPOSITION". The St. Louis Republican of January 2nd contains the following, which details one of the most remarkable cases on record t — • The circumstances attending the supposed demise of Joseph Heitkamp, at his residence, 207, South Fourthstreet, have become the subject of much conversation and conjecture. The opinions are very diversified, and while a great many persistently maintain that he is dead, others maintain with equal firmness that he is not dead. There are some acts in connection with this remarkably strange case that sustain both conclusions, and offer to science an excellent subject for discussion and investigation. In the first place, although he ceased to breathe on Monday night last, and was to all appearances dead, there is still, or was up to 9 o'clock last night, no sign of decomposition ; neither was there the least sign of that deathly hue or colour peculiar to death. His features are as natural as they were in life ; his fingers are limber, and, to look at his face, or to feel his gloved hand, one would suppose that he was in a deep sleep. His wrist, elbow, and knee-joints are not altogether stiff, although he has lain as a dead man since Monday night. These facts go to sustain the theory or belief that he is not dead. On the other hand, his face and hands, and flesh generally are as cold as it is possible for a dead man's to become, although there is an entire absence of that clamminess peculiar to dead bodies, No motion of his heart or pulse is in any Avise perceptible. There are no signs of a circulation of blood, aad in all, save the peculiarities as above recited, he seems to be dead as man ever was ; and these facts sustain the belief that he is dead.

It is said that, in cases of death by lightning, features will retain their natural colour, and that there is always an absence of that odour peculiar to human bodies as life becomes extinct. We heard assorted last night by one who, at one tine was a practising physician, that in cases of death from paralysis the same peculiarities are noticeable. In the case of Mr. Heitkamp, paralysis seems to have destroyed vitality, and it is asserted that in similar instances the heat has been known to cease perceptible pulsations as much as twelve hours before the body was pronounced dead. Paralysis is a palsying, benumbing or deadening of the entire nervous system, in which the entire nervous power of the part affected loses its vitality. The testimony of nearly all the physicians of standing who have examined the body of Mr. Heitkamp is that he is dead beyond all question, but at the same time mistakes have been made before in connection with some similar cases. The knowledge of this fact, together with the total absence of the usual manifestations of decay observable in dead bodies, keeps alive a feeling of uncertainty in the hearts of common people. The theory is that death resulted from paralysis, but is it a common thing for death by such disease to be Tinaccompanied by rigidity of the limbs and no taints of decomposition after the lapse of 100 hours in mild weather ? This is the question people insist upon asking. The case is one which suggests too many of the stories we have heard of trances, death in life, lethargies, and instances of syncope. As to the- latter, although it cannot be

connected with the present case, it presents some cases of syncope which as recorded are at least worth mentioning. The respiration becomes weak in proportion as the heart flags, and is discontinued altogether upon its ceasing to j act; as the symptom increases, the blood retires from the surface of the body, which loses its colour as well as | warmth, and it either remains dry, or becomes moistened with a cold and clammy sweat. The functions of the. brain are suspended, the subject loses all consciousness, sensation, aad power of voluntary motion. A great relaxation of the muscles takes place throughout the body,, which may extend even to the sphincters (a name given to several muscles " which constrict or close certain natural openings when the fainting is complete and of long duration. If this state continue for any length of time there may be difficulty, says one of the old medical writers, in distinguishing it from the effects of death; for the body, under these circumstances, becomes cold, especially in the extremities. The joints, however, retain their flexibility, and the insensible actions of the capillary vessels and organic texture of the body coatitfuing to be carried on, life is. still preserved, the blood retains its fluidity, and no approach is made towards putrefaction. Instances have occurred, says, the same author, of persons continuing in a trance state or prolonged syncope, and yet at length recovering therefrom. The highly respectable position which Mr. Heitkamp held in the community caused him to be widely known, and the curious ch'cumstances connected with his supposed dream have naturally excited a general interest. The number of visitors to the house yesterday was very large, aad the sorrowing family, in their peculiar position, must have had their patience sorely tried. Curiosity was the predominant feeling, 1 and each ivisitorleft the room impressed

in a different manner. . Whatever the issue may be, the present position, of the case is that the doctors aver that it is a -clear case of death, but the people generally are doubtful. We have contented ourselves with merely giving the particulai's, and our readers can form their own conclusions.

A curious and painful incident occurred at the house yesterday: It is stated by two young gentlemen that, in company with a General from New York, they visited the room where the body is laid out with the object of examining it. During their stay, two persons, who were present and robed in a curious garb, asserted that they were gifted with insurrectionary powers, and beating the body with their hands adjured it, in words of apostolic commands, to arise. The desired effect did not follow, and the strange individuals were somewhat roughly expelled by a friend of the family. Such an occurrence must have been exceedingly distressing to the family. In giving the particulars, we have only sought to present the features of a very interesting case, and in which the public is very deeply iuterested. The strange coincidence of the dream already mentioned, adds to its outre character, and it is not surprising if it has given rise to such universal go«sip. By some it is said the body will be buried to day ; by others, that some members of his family will not hear of burial until there are evidence of pusrefactiou and decomposition. Under the circumstances this is generally considered the wisest course.