After lying in this state of
lifelessness for a short period, life would become slowly
established without any consciousness or volition on the man's
part. The longest period in which he remained in this death-like
condition was about thirty minutes. A postmortem examination of
this person was awaited with great interest; but after his death
nothing was found to explain the power he possessed over his
heart.
Saint Augustin knew of a priest named Rutilut who had the power
of voluntarily simulating death. Both the pulsation and
respiration was apparently abolished when he was in his lifeless
condition. Burning and pricking left visible effects on the skin
after his recovery, but had no apparent effect on his lethargy.
Chaille reports an instance of voluntary suspension of the pulse.
Relative to hibernation, it is well-known that mice, snakes, and
some reptiles, as well as bees, sometimes seem to entirely
suspend animation for an extended period, and especially in the
cold weather. In Russia fish are transported frozen stiff, but
return to life after being plunged into cold water. A curious
tale is told by Harley, from Sir John Lubbock, of a snail brought
from Egypt and thought to be dead.
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