We must admit, however, that the mistake has been made,
particularly in instances of catalepsy or trance, and during
epidemics of malignant fevers or plagues, in which there is an
absolute necessity of hasty burial for the prevention of
contagion. In a few instances on the battle-field sudden syncope,
or apparent death, has possibly led to premature interment; but
in the present day this is surely a very rare occurrence. There
is also a danger of mistake from cases of asphyxiation, drowning,
and similar sudden suspensions of the vital functions.
It is said that in the eighty-fourth Olympiad, Empedocles
restored to life a woman who was about to be buried, and that
this circumstance induced the Greeks, for the future protection
of the supposed dead, to establish laws which enacted that no
person should be interred until the sixth or seventh day. But
even this extension of time did not give satisfaction, and we
read that when Hephestion, at whose funeral obsequies Alexander
the Great was present, was to be buried his funeral was delayed
until the tenth day. There is also a legend that when Acilius
Aviola fell a victim to disease he was burned alive, and although
he cried out, it was too late to save him, as the fire had become
so widespread before life returned.
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