Page:Newes from the Dead.djvu/17

 something said in justification of her self, as to the fact for which she was to suffer, and touching the lewdnesse of the Family wherein she lately lived, she was turn'd off the Ladder, hanging by the neck for the space of almost halfe an houre, some of her friends in the mean time thumping her on the breast, others hanging with all their weight upon her leggs; sometimes lifting her up, and then pulling her downe againe with a suddaine jerke, thereby the sooner to dispatch her out of her paine: insomuch that the Under-Sheriffe fearing lest thereby they should breake the rope, forbad them to doe so any longer. At length, when every one thought she was dead, the body being taken downe, and put into a Coffin, was carried thence into a private house, where some Physitians had appointed to make a Dissection. The Coffin being opened, she was observed to breath, and in breathing (the passage of her throat being streightned) obscurely to ruttle: which being perceived by a lusty fellow that stood by, he (thinking to doe an act of charity in ridding her out of the small reliques of a painfull life) stamped severall times on her breast & stomack with all the force he could. Immediately after, there came in Dr Petty of Brasen-nose-Colledge our Anatomy-Professor, and Mr Thomas Willis of Christ-Church, at whose comming, which was about 9 a clock in the morning, she yet persisted to ruttle as before, laying all this while stretched out in the coffin in a cold room and season of the yeare. They perceiving some life in her, as well for humanity as their Professionsake, fell presently to act in order to her recovery. First, having caused her to be held up in the Coffin, they wrenched open her teeth, which were fast set,and powred into her mouth some hot and cordiall spirits; whereupen she rutled more then before, and seemed obscurely to cough: then they opened her hands (her fingers also being stifly bent) and ordered some to rub and chafe the extreme parts of her body, which they continued for about a quarter of an houre; oft, in the mean time, powring in a spoonfull or two of the cordiall water; and besides tickling her throat with a feather, at which she opened her eyes, but shut them againe presently. As soon as they perceived any heat in her extream parts, they thought of letting her bloud: & no sooner