THE ACT OF DYING.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1958, 14 April 1875, Page 4

THE ACT OF DYING.

Sir Benjamin Brodie in his extremely interesting work " Psychological Inquiries," under the form of a dialogue, gives the following results of his professional experience of the last moments <>f life-.—

•'"" Ergate!!—Really, according to my observation,, the mere act of dying, is seldom, in any sense of the word, a very painful process. It is true that some persons die in a state of bodily torture, as m cases of tetanus ; that the drunkard, dying of delirium tremens, is haunted by terrific visions; and that the victim of that most horrible of all diseases, hydrophobia, in addition to those peculiar bodily sufferings from which the disease has derived its name, may be in a state of terror from the suppoied presence of frightful objects, which are presented to him as realities, even to the last. But these, and some other instances which I might adduce, are exceptions to the general rule, which is, that both mental and bodily, suffering terminates long •before the scene is finally closed. Then as to the actual fear of death; it seems tome that the author of our existence, for the 'most part, gives it to us when itis intended that we should die. So-it often is with those whose life has been protracted to an extreme old age, beyond the u^ual period of mortality, even when they labor under no actual disease. It is not very common for anyone to die merely of old age—

1 Like ripe fruit; to drop loto bis mother's lap.' But I have known this to happen ; and a Lappv conclusion it; has seemed to be of worldly cares and joys, It was like falling to sleep, never to awake again in this state of existence. Some die retaining all their faculties and quite aware that their dissolution is at hand. Others offer no signs of recognition of eternal objects 0 so that It is Impossible for us to form any positive opinion whether they do or do not retain their sensibility—and others again, as I liave stated, who appear to be insensible and unconscious, when carefully watched, arc found not to be so in reality, but they die contentedly. I have myself never known but two instances in which, in the act of dying, there was manifest indications of the fear of death. The individuals to whom I allude were unexpectedly destroyed by hemorrhage, which, ; from peculiai' circumstances, which I need not explain, it was impossible to suppress. The despairing effects which the gradual loss of blood produced on their corporeal •yßtem seem »d to influence their minds, and they died earnestly imploring that relief which art was unable to afford them. Senoca might have chosen an easier death, than from opening his trteries.

" Embuluss—ln the account which you have given us, it seems to me that you have made n considerable omission, inasmuch as you have said nothing as to the influence of religious sentiments on the minds of dying persons; of the hopes and fears connected with the retrospect of a well-spent or ill-spent life, and with the prospect of what is to happen after the greatest and most mysterious change belonging to humanity has taken place.

"Ergates: You have called our attention to the. subject involving considerations to which no one can be indifferent. Btit you do me an injustice, if you suppose that I liaye been unmindful of it. What I have said refers only to the last stage in the process of dissolution. There is so doubt that a pure and simple religious faith, and a firm relimce on the Being who hail placed us here, contribute more than anything besides to disarm death of its terrors, deprive ' the grave of its victory,' and smooth the passage of the humble and sincere believer to the termination of his worldly career. Nevertheless, according to my own experience, and what I have heard from others, the influence of religious feelings is, for the most part, not so much perceptible at the moment.when death is actually impending <s it is at an earlier period, when the individual who was previously in health, or supposed himself to be so, first d:scovers that if: is probable that he will die."