I suspect that when someone is decapitated the senses do not cease functioning immediately the head is severed from the body. I imagine the brain can think, the ears hear and so on, if only for a fraction of a second. Any ideas ?
In traditional China decapitation was considered a more severe form of punishment than strangulation although strangulation caused more-prolonged suffering. This was because the Chinese believed that their bodies were gifts from their parents, and that it was therefore disrespectful to their ancestors to return their bodies to the grave dismembered. The Chinese however had other punishments, such as the lingering death, that involved cutting the body into multiple pieces. In addition, there was also a practice of cutting the body at the waist, which was a common way of execution before being abolished in early Qing dynasty. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapitation
What delightful people. What bothers me though is whether a decapitated head is aware of its surroundings for a short time.
well...Myles...the person is basically dead...granting those few second to think of life is rather a privelige.
I've seen a snapping turtle try to bite for at least ten minutes after the head was cut off. The heart beat on the table for almost a half hour after being removed.
cockroaches... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDx6kC4jkFE Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I read an article in Harper's Magazine - which is not available online unless one pays - where some heads responded to their names and opened their eyes.
This one didn't respond at all.. The remains of a dragonfly after I hit it with my car :bawl: Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
You have just reminded me of an agreement between two friends during the French revolution. They agreed that the first one to be beheaded would blink at the other from the basket. I seem to remember that the head blinked. Don't take this as gospel because I read it more than forty years ago and I may be wrong about the outcome.
Jesus, that is creepy.. I always wondered whether or not you would still be conscious for a few seconds after decapitation. However, wouldn't you immediately go unconscious from the trauma ? People are rendered unconscious by far less severe trauma.
Haha you are such an idiot. I'm glad I decided to look at this post Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!