The Period at which Death Occurs.
This is influenced by many circumstances. It is difficult to fix an exact period for the duration of life in complete deprivation of food, or acute starvation, and it is certainly more so in chronic inanition, when the modifying circumstances are increased in number and complexity.
A large number of cases of prolongation of life during a period of absolute deprivation of food which has been stated to extend over weeks and even months, cannot be accepted as free from error, and hence are not considered here.
A sufficient number, accurately observed and well attested by unimpeachable authorities, have led to the conclusion that the healthy adult, in a total deprivation of food, can exist for a period not exceeding ten to twelve days. On one of the Inman line of steamers, a young man, aged twenty years, endured absolute deprivation of all food and water during eleven days, recovery following.[961]
Sarah Jacobs, a child of thirteen years (“the Welsh fasting girl”), had been exhibited by her parents as a miraculous being under the pretence that she had eaten nothing during two years.
The child being placed under complete surveillance by four nurses from Guy’s Hospital for eight days, during which period no food was taken, died on the ninth day.
The post-mortem examination showed all organs of the body to be in a healthy condition. The stomach was empty, with the exception of three teaspoonfuls of a thin acid fluid. The intestines were also empty and their walls were not thinned. A layer of fat, half an inch or more in thickness, was found under the skin of the chest and abdomen. The liver was in a healthy condition, as also the kidneys and spleen. The bladder was empty.
The parents were tried on a charge of manslaughter and were convicted of causing death by criminal negligence.[962]
Caspar gives the details of a case observed by him of a man aged thirty-six years, who endured total abstinence from all food for eleven days, recovery following.[963]
Cases are reported of miners who have been imprisoned by accidents in mines for eight, nine, and nine and one-half days, with recovery following rescue at the end of this time.[964]