He first affected to treat the whole affair as a joke, but
was solemnly assured by the students that they meant it in real
earnest. He was told to prepare for immediate death. The
trembling janitor looked all around in the vain hope of seeing
some indication that nothing was really meant, but stern looks
met him everywhere. He was blindfolded, and made to kneel before
the block. The executioner's axe was raised, but, instead of the
sharp edge, a wet towel was brought sharply down on the back of
the neck. The bandage was now removed from the culprit's eyes,
but to the horror and astonishment of the students they found
that he was dead. Such a case may be due to heart-failure from
fear or excitement.
It is not uncommon that death ensues from the shock alone
following blows that cause no visible injury, but administered to
vital parts. This is particularly true of blows about the
external genital region, or epigastrium, where the solar plexus
is an active factor in inhibition. Ivanhoff of Bulgaria in 1886
speaks of a man of forty-five who was dealt a blow on the
testicle in a violent street fight, and staggering, he fell
insensible. Despite vigorous medical efforts he never regained
consciousness and died in forty-five minutes.
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