How long is a head alive after it is decapitated?

Answer 1

There is an urban myth about creepy experiment performed by a scientist during the Reign of Terror in France, where use of the guillotine was widespread. The man was a brilliant scientist named Antoine Lavoisier who was sentence to death by the cruel the French government, which had no need of "genius."

But he made an experiment before he died, that he would attempt to blink after decapitation and have his friends observe it. Supposedly he did. This is an urban myth, but the idea is not inaccurate.

If death is not instant, it's apparently possible that one could have a few seconds of lingering cognition before death.

Which shows, of course, that it's evil to murder another human being, no matter how you slice it.

See these links for more information:

http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/prisons/methods_of_capital_punishment.htm

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_262.html

and

http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/Pages/30sec.html

for more information on these horrendous abuses of human nature.

Answer 2

During the French Revolution, when they were guillotining heads off by the dozen, many doctors did experiments to try and ascertain the answer to this question!

Much later, a Dr. Beaurieux, in 1905, experimented with the head of a recently executed prisoner. In calling the deceased’s name, the head slowly opened its eyes and the pupils focused. The eyes closed and again his name was called, “Languille!” Once again the motions were repeated and the eyes fixed themselves on the doctor. A third attempt was made with no more movement. The whole thing is said to have lasted twenty-five to thirty seconds.

Answer 3

17 blinks.

Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry, was decapitated in the French Revolution. He made a deal with a friend, and the executioner, that rather than letting his head fall into the basket, his friend would pick his head up by the hair, and he would blink (as his vocal cords would no longer be available) for as long as he possibly could. His friend reported to the Academy of Sciences that he counted 17 blinks before his eyes closed - forever.

One unanswered question: How fast did he blink?

Answer 4

yes, it can be. my chemistry teacher talked about it a while ago... what they use to do in medieval times if they really didnt like someone is they would cut there head off and stare into it for a minute because there is still some blood and oxygen in the system. but the body would probably go through so much shock that theyre brain wouldnt be able to make decision so they probably would be able to talk

Answer 5

The teeth will chatter just a bit before the blood and oxygen is gone from the brain. Never counted the seconds though.

Answer 6

about 5 seconds

Answer 7

20 seconds

Answer 8

The last one I took lasted 4.8 seconds. Just enough to grumble a bit then fire me.

The record was 16.9 seconds, long enough for me to apologize for being so hot-tempered. On the bright side, I could finally see the movie!

Answer 9

There is a tale of a prisoner who said he would wink his right eye from the basket of the guillotine---he did.

Answer 10

Eh I dont believe anyone lived to tell.. How would someone know if a head is alive after decap....?