.
The search "Languille executed 1905" (without the quotes) produced 23
hits (the www.metaphor.dk site mentioned in the answer was the second
hit on the list), among them the following:
A site called "Guillotine History" had this short mention: "1905 At
5:30 a.m. on June 28 1905, Languille was executed by means of
decapitation."
http://www.lightwithin.org/curriculum/lesson_plans/language_arts/10to12/Handout%20-%20Guillotine%20History.doc
And on another site a slightly longer version of it: "1905 June 28th
Languille was executed at 5.30 a.m. Dr Beaurieux made an experiment
with the severed head. Read his report."
http://bofhcam.org/co-larters/tracing-spammers/colophon.html
Then I found an interesting reference at a site titled "Glossary of
Historical Persons mentioned in Jens Bjørneboe's last four novels"
which was compiled by Esther Greenleaf Mürer. As sources she
acknowledges these: Webster's Biographical Dictionary, Aschehoug og
Gyldendals Store Norske Leksikon, and various sources on the web.
The title of the page is longer than the very brief mention given:
"Languille, d. 1905. French murderer"
http://home.att.net/~emurer/about/names.htm
The newscientist.com site carries the Beaurieux report, and gives the
source for it (the text following is quoted from the web page):
A particularly detailed report comes from Dr Beaurieux who, under
perfect circumstances, experimented with the head of the murderer
Languille, guillotined at 5.30 am on 28 June, 1905. (From "A History
of the Guillotine" by Alister Kershaw. His source is "Archives
d'Anthropologie Criminelle," 1905):
"Here, then, is what I was able to note immediately after the
decapitation: the eyelids and lips of the guillotined man worked in
irregularly rhythmic contractions for about five or six seconds . .
. I waited for several seconds. The spasmodic movements ceased. The
face relaxed, the lids half closed on the eyeballs, leaving only the
white of the conjunctiva visible, exactly as in the dying whom we
have occasion to see every day in the exercise of our profession, or
as in those just dead. It was then that I called in a strong, sharp
voice: 'Languille!' I saw the eyelids slowly lift up, without any
spasmodic contractions . . . Next Languille's eyes very definitely
fixed themselves on mine and the pupils focused themselves . . .
After several seconds, the eyelids closed again, slowly and evenly,
and the head took on the same appearance as it had had before I
called out.
"It was at that point that I called out again and, once more,
without any spasm, slowly, the eyelids lifted and undeniably living
eyes fixed themselves on mine with perhaps even more penetration
than the first time. Then there was a further closing of the
eyelids, but now less complete. I attempted the effect of a third
call; there was no further movement and the eyes took on the glazed
look which they have in the dead.
"I have just recounted to you with rigorous exactness what I was
able to observe. The whole thing had lasted twenty-five to thirty
seconds."
http://www.newscientist.com/lastword/answers/719top20.jsp?tp=top
This description by the good doctor is also quoted in the article
titled "Bluebeard Meets Madame Guillotine" which deals with Henri
Landru. It can be found at
http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial7/landru/7.htm
And there's another extensive quoting of the report at:
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/strange/070201_strange.html
A somewhat shortened version was given at the "Morbid Fact du Jour"
web site on October 11, 2000, according to their archive (the
following is quoted from the web page):
A debate has long raged about whether a decapitated head retains
consciousness for a time after death. In 1905 in France, Dr. Beaurieux
was able to investigate the head instantly after a guillotine
beheading. He described his experience as follows: "... immediately
after the decapitation, the eyelids and lips of the guillotined man
worked in irregularly rhythmic contractions for about five or six
seconds. I waited for several seconds. The spasmodic movements ceased.
The face relaxed, the lids half-closed on the eyeballs, leaving only
the white of the conjuctiva visible, exactly as in the dying whom we
have occasion to see every day... It was then that I called in a
strong sharp voice: 'Languille!' I then saw the eyelids slowly lift
up, without any spasmodic contraction -- I insist advisedly on this
peculiarity -- but with an even movement, quite distinct and normal,
such as happens in everyday life, with people awakened or torn from
their thoughts. Next, Languille's eyes very definitely fixed
themselves on mine and the pupils focused themselves. I was not, then,
dealing with a vague dull look without any expression that can be
observed any day in dying people to whom one speaks: I was dealing
with undeniably living eyes which were looking at me." (An Underground
Education)
http://asylumeclectica.com/morbid/archives/morb1000.htm
This site mentions Languille's first name:
"Beaurieux
"A doctor who in 1905 made an experiment with the severed head of
Henri Languille"
http://erodyssey.com/g1_863f763h/guest/guillomisela.html
The search "Languille 1905" (again without quotes) produced 80 hits.
www.newscientist.com was hit number 1, and www.metaphor.dk hit number
2.
Many of the hits had nothing to do with Henri Languille, although some
sites showed up that I hadn't seen before, including a German version
of Beaurieux's description, which can be found here:
http://www.todesstrafe.de/inhalt/geschichte/fallbeil/seite4.htm
TexasT
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