Dr. Wilder continues:--“I would choose such a death if I could be sure it was death. _But most of those things which I have enumerated may cause a death which is only apparent._”
The following briefly extracted cases from English papers are typical of thousands of others, and can be duplicated, with slight variation in terms, throughout the United States. The absolute proof of the reality of such deaths is not found in hasty diagnosis or in medical certificates, but in the presence of putrefaction:--
“Mr. P. G---- died suddenly yesterday. Apparently in his ordinary health, he had been busily occupied during the morning; went upstairs, and was found lying on his face on the floor. Dr. Jeffery was called, and pronounced life extinct, and expressed the opinion that death arose from syncope.”--_Western Morning News, September 14, 1895._
“An inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of W. P----, which took place suddenly the previous evening. The deceased was forty-three years of age, and invariably enjoyed good health, except that he complained of headache at times. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.”--_Windsor Express, September 21, 1895._
“T. B---- was seized with sudden illness after retiring to rest, and expired before medical aid could be obtained. Deceased had been in his accustomed health, had been at work all day, and had eaten a hearty supper before retiring to rest. The Coroner was communicated with; but, as death was certified to be due to heart-disease, no inquest was necessary.”--_Middlesex County Times, October 2, 1895._
“The deceased, L. E----, aged twenty, retired on Sunday evening in her usual state of good health. In the morning she was found insensible, and, when the doctor arrived, shortly afterwards, he found life to be extinct. Evidence was given to show that she had previously been perfectly bright, cheerful, and well. Verdict of the jury, that ‘Deceased died from failure of the action of the heart in the natural way.’”--_Harrogate Advertiser, October 12, 1895._
“Mr. H----, who had been remarkably cheerful during the day, was just in the act of lighting his pipe to enjoy a smoke, when his head fell back, and he died in a moment. The family doctor certified to the cause of death.”--_Lancaster Guardian, October 12, 1895._