Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 28/07/2007 19:04:23

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 28/07/2007 19:04:23

I've heard that if someone's head gets chopped off it continues to live for a brief while. Could there be any truth in that?

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: that mad man on 28/07/2007 19:56:47

I think it depends on how ones head gets chopped off.

When Mary Queen of The Scots was executed by axe the testimony of some witnesses stated that it was a clean cut except for some gristle and that her lips twitched a few times.

There was also reports from the "Guillotine" that some heads uttered words after being severed.
Impossible of course but, the oxygen in the brain would take a few minutes to disappear.

Bee

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: another_someone on 28/07/2007 21:25:05

I think it perfectly reasonable to assume that the head could survive about 2 minutes after decapitation, although the victim may possibly be in to great a state of shock to do anything.

Certainly, uttering words would be impossible, since one's lungs are separated from one's mouth.

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 28/07/2007 22:11:20

It was the guillotine that made me wonder this. Beheading with an axe was very rarely a "clean cut" matter and more often than not several strikes were necessary.

I was wondering about the shock effect. It must be just about the most severe trauma a body could suffer.

Obviously the rumours about severed heads talking is complete nonsense.

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: that mad man on 28/07/2007 22:35:14

I think shock is the main killer in most cases.

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: paul.fr on 28/07/2007 22:44:57

Quote from: that mad man on 28/07/2007 22:35:14

I think shock is the main killer in most cases.

The shock of seeing the rest of you some distance away, yes that would do it. NB, i thought i had the monopoly on macabre/death posts!

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 28/07/2007 23:45:45

Quote from: paul.fr on 28/07/2007 22:44:57

Quote from: that mad man on 28/07/2007 22:35:14

I think shock is the main killer in most cases.

The shock of seeing the rest of you some distance away, yes that would do it.

And I don't suppose telling them to pull themselves together would help very much.  [:D]

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: neilep on 29/07/2007 19:04:04

.....as a firm believer in empirical study I decapitated my daughters Barbie..

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unbsj.ca%2Farts%2Fenglish%2Fjones%2Fmedia%2Fmt%2Foff.gif&hash=281b160789c6f1f8f68152a2e8a5833c)

...The only after effects I detected were my daughters whimpers.....

..I tried to explain to her it was in the name of science but she failed to grasp the significance of the research.....!!...as a four year old you would think she would be more understanding !!

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: that mad man on 29/07/2007 20:35:30

LOL!

Tell her you were looking for the tooth fairy!  [;D]

Bee

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: Karen W. on 29/07/2007 21:56:38

Neil, Actually you could prove the statement true "that indeed Blondes are empty headed and brainless!" LOL LOL..sorry I couldn't resist!

Title: Question about beheading.
Post by: Heronumber0 on 30/07/2007 00:05:58

i have read some things about the head still being able to function after beheading by guillotine. One mentioned Mme C. Corday who killed one of the French Revolution leaders in his bathtub to save France. Following her beheading, the executioner slapped her beheaded cheek.  Eyewitnesses stated that both cheeks flushed in anger and that the lips had a curl of annoyance. 200 years of research into beheading were in progress.

In 1905, a Dr Beaurieux had instant access to a guillotined head, he stated that the lips and eyelids moved for several seconds (a common occurrence). After the movements stopped the Doctor shouted the man's name (Languille) and his eyelids slowly lifted up. Languille's eyes carefully fixed on those of the doctor as a deliberate action as if in everyday conversation.  Creepy stuff! But why do I know this sad stuff and not the important facts? Why...?!!

In another instance, a physician