NOTE: - 7 -

...to make known their reviving; thus they have brought about their own death in agony. This is the reason that the medical administration hath established a rule: not to bury the dead before three days [have passed]. In other enlightened states there is a custom of placing the deceased for a few days in a house expressly designated for them, and tying to their feet and hands an iron wire, the end of which is led through the wall and fastened to the clapper of a small bell in an adjoining room of that house, where watchmen and physicians appointed by the government reside. If it should chance that any [of the dead] revive, with their slightest motion the bell will ring; the watchmen will understand and immediately hasten to their aid. Besides this, the watchman is obliged to enter the mortuary house six times a day [and] examine the deceased. One of the watchmen, at various times, hath brought back [to life] eight dead persons on the second and third day of their death. Such horrifying occurrences have happened and shall yet happen everywhere, and all the more so in Asia, where they are accustomed to bury the dead immediately. Wherefore I repeat, that without a physician, or until the certain signs of death become clearly manifest, they ought not to bury [them]. Where there is no physician, the ministers of the church are obliged out of compassion to take heed that they do not bury the dead hastily. I deem it necessary likewise to speak here of that manifestly harmful custom which is practiced in our parts. When the patient’s breathing ceaseth, the beating of the pulse and heart stoppeth, [and] the face turneth pale, by these signs they affirm that he is dead; and without delay they pull the pillow from under his head, shut his eyes with force, pile silver coins upon the eyelids, and forthwith tie up his chin, or affix flattened beeswax upon his face. Such conduct is to be avoided with great caution, not only at that very hour, but even on the following day; for even should his breath be about to return, it can no longer return. Sound judgment requireth that until the distinct signs of death appear, one must not act in this manner. It is very necessary that just as the ministers of the church...