rolled in the Medical order, has ventured to deliver his opinions on the doctrines of that Art. I have conceived that a freedom from this Professional yoke has not imposed the disabilities of a penalty, but has conferred even the immunities of a privilege, and I have imagined, that I am from hence enabled to address the Public on this subject, in a form more unrestrained, and in a tone of discussion more plain, intelligible, and efficient. I look with full confidence to the cooperation of this enlightened order of men; though I cannot but foresee some impediments, which may arise on the occasion, and which may obstruct some portion of my hopes. The fear of deserting the accustomed path, and of pursuing what some might consider as a wild and visionary conception, may perhaps deter the Practitioner,more advanced in age and more established in his fortune, from engaging in a new project, as yet unsanctioned by Professional authority. But to the young Artist, zealous in his pursuit and unestablished in his practice, such a Project opens to the view a splendid commencement of his career, at once most propitious to his fame and to his fortune. The The Artist, who shall first recall to life a Human being in a case of Natural Death, by the same Resuscitative process, which is applied to cases of Violent Death, becomes the Founder of a new æra and of a new name in the annals of Humanity-of Medicine and of Science. In such a cause we may be permitted to indulge the zeal of proselytism, without any fears of delusion in our estimate of the possible evil, which may be annex. ed to the probable good. Some difficulties are to be encountered, and some prejudices are perhaps to be subdued ; but I still apply with confidence to the tribunal of Public sense and Public feeling. I look around on every side, and I call for co-operation and support in the adoption of my Project, on all Professions, and all Orders of the Community. It is a great cause, on which hang the issues of Life and Death: It is a cause alike common to all, and it is established by an argument, which is alike intelligible to all,simple in its form and invincible in its force. If Life be the greatest of blessings, as all confess by the dread of losing it, and by their arts and devices to preserve preserve it, which are sometimes doubtful and sometimes dangerous, that Project must surely stand preeminently distinguished, which seeks this blessing, when the good may possibly be attained, and when no evil can possibly be incurred. If ever Project was received among men, assuredly such a Project should be hailed with universal acceptance, and be admitted to a fair and full trial of its effect, which,cheered by some prospects of hope and secured from all dangers of hazard, professes not to commence its operation, till the last evil has already occurred, and till every other Art, adopted for the prevention of that evil, has been exhausted in vain. WALTER WHITER, Hardingham-Parsonage, Norfolk, May 3d. 1819. CONTENTS OF THE WORK. Introduction. Alarms about Premature Interment. The SLEEP OF DEATH and the PAGE 1-56 57-84 85-98 Cure of the Disorder-Opinions of Dr. Darwin and Dr. Fothergill on this subject. Solomon appears to have discovered a Remedy for Epilepsy. The ori- : gin of the Eastern Stories about the seal of Solomon. 145-8 125-148 The DEATH OF SLEEP in morbid CATALEPSIES- ---NERVOUS AND The Spiritual or Refined passion of 233 Phantoms seen by persons awake.- 253 Story of a German Lady, who witnessed the preparations for her own funeral. 291 Remarks on the treatment of the Dying and the Dead. Euthanasia. 149-305 331-344 |