“‘A Berlin apothecary wrote to me lately’ (says Dr. Lénormand) ‘in this town to the effect that during an interval of two years and a-half, ten people stated to be dead had been recalled to life. I shall quote only the following:—
“‘SOLDIER OF THE GUARD.
“‘In the middle of the night the bell of the vestibule rang violently. The caretaker, who had only entered on duties within a few days, much startled, ran towards the mortuary. As soon as he opened the door he found himself confronted with one of “the corpses” enveloped in his shroud who had quitted his bier and was making his way out. He was a soldier of the guard believed to be dead, and he was able to join his regiment five days later.’ (Ibid., p. 180.)
“FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE.
“Dr. Josat said that during his sojourn in Germany, Herr Schmill, director of the mortuary at Frankfort, related to him a case of apparent death which occurred under his own eyes.
“‘In the year 1840, a girl of nineteen years died of acute pleuro-pneumonia. Her body, during very hot weather, was exposed in the mortuary for a period of eight days in a state of perfect preservation. Her face retained its colour, the limbs were supple, and the substance of the cornea transparent, whereas in ordinary cases decomposition shows itself on the third day. The parents could not reconcile themselves to have their daughter buried, and found themselves much troubled. Finally on the ninth day the supposed dead suddenly awoke without any premonitory indications of life.’ (Ibid., p. 180.)
“BELGIUM.
“There was a case at Brussels in January, 1867, of a person who returned to life just as the bearers arrived at the mortuary.
“‘A workman of the suburbs, employed by a firm of carriers, fell ill, and in a few days died. This suddenness of the death caused doubts as to its reality, and after the usual delay he was taken to the mortuary connected with the cemetery. The body was left for a few days’ observation. As soon as they arrived a noise escaped from the coffin, and arrested the attention of the people present. At once they hastened towards the coffin, and tried to restore him, and in a short time he came to life. The same evening he was able to return to his home. On the following day he went himself to the authorities to annul the record of his supposed death.’” (P. 182.)