of approaching death, appearing to be a
hypothetic allegation, has been established as a strong factor in the
production of a fatal issue in many cases in which there was every hope
for a recovery. In fact several physicians have mentioned with dread
the peculiar obstinacy of such presentiment. Hippocrates, Romanus,
Moller, Richter, Jordani, and other older writers speak of it.
Montgomery reports a remarkable case of a woman suffering from
carcinoma of the uterus. He saw her on October 6, 1847, when she told
him she had a strong presentiment of death on October 28th. She stated
that she had been born on that day, her first husband had died on
October 28th, and she had married her second husband on that day. On
October 27th her pulse began to fail, she fell into a state of extreme
prostration, and at noon on the 28th she died. In substantiation of the
possibility of the influence of presentiment Montgomery cites another
case in which he was called at an early hour to visit a lady, the
mother of several children. He found her apparently much agitated and
distressed, and in great nervous excitement over a dream she had had,
in which she saw a handsome monument erected by some children to their
mother. She had awakened and became dreadfully apprehensive, she could
not tell as to what. The uneasiness and depression continued, her
pulse continued to grow weak, and she died at twelve that night without
a struggle. Andrews has made several observations on this subject, and
concludes that presentiment of death is a dangerous symptom, and one
which should never be overlooked. One of his cases was in a man with a
fractured leg in the Mercy Hospital at Pittsburg. The patient was in
good health, but one day he became possessed of a cool, quiet, and
perfectly clear impression that he was about to die. Struck with his
conviction, Andrews examined his pulse and general condition minutely,
and assured the patient there was not the slightest ground for
apprehension. But he persisted, and was attacked by pneumonia three
days later which brought him to the verge of the grave, although he
ultimately recovered. In another instance a young man of ruddy
complexion and apparent good health, after an operation for varicocele,
had a very clear impression that he would die. Careful examination
showed no reason for apprehension. After five or six days of
encouragement and assurance, he appeared to be convinced that his
reasoning was foolish, and