The Severed Head

binbag · Post by **binbag** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:12 pm

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Every now and again I like to take a tour through YouTube.

I'll choose any subject that comes to mind, bring up the page

and have a look at the video on display.

I'll then look at the links on the right of the page where links

to similar subjects are displayed, choose one, then go deep into

the web.

Very often a subject somewhere along the line will appear that

has nothing to do with the original search.

It's fun, and can be very interesting.

Well, last night I started a YouTube search and after digging around

for a while, sure enough, I spotted an unrelated subject.

It was a bit gory and I didn't have the courage to go in and look.

The title was similar to "Severed Head Alive"!!!!!

That title brought something to mind.

Years ago my eldest son came home from school one day and mentioned

the teacher had told his class that a chopped off head can take a few

breathes of air before actually dying.

It's a bit gruesome, but can anyone verify that?

Can a severed head survive, even for a few seconds after the act?

Or after the axe. (has fallen)

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:19 pm

I suppose it would function until it was drained of enough blood to starve it. I'd think the same would hold true for the body.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:52 pm

It wouldn't be able to take a breath because that would require a diaphragm, located in the chest. It might be able to blink and move its mouth. I spose it might even be possible for the head to see and hear, but it would be tough to prove.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:06 pm

Slightly off the subject - well off on a tangent - there was a chicken that survived for a couple of years without a head. I'll see if I can find a link to it

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:09 pm

Mike the Headless Chicken - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I believe there is a dedicated website for Mike the headless chicken

Post by **LarsMac** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:10 pm

Having severed a few heads, I can verify that eyes will blink and jaws will move, and most facial muscles will twitch for a few minutes after the severing.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:36 pm

Im doing a thesis of sorts on severed heads. Its a very rich subject.

binbag · Post by **binbag** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:56 pm

Nomad;1348980 wrote: Im doing a thesis of sorts on severed heads. Its a very rich subject.Heady stuff, eh. (only teasing)

Actually that sounds interesting Nomad, though I'm not sure I could do a thesis on the subject.

I failed to mention the YouTube link was referring to a severed "human head", that's why I wasn't brave enough to go in and have a look.

If the replies regarding animal heads are anything to go by, perhaps the same applies to human heads also.

Can you just imagine all the heads watching the action as they fell into the basket during the French Revolution. :-2

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:27 am

I've heard stories about times that the executioner would grab the head and turn it so that he/she could see the headless body as the last sight before death. Don't know if any are true. Kinda like snatching the beating heart out of someone's chest.

BaghdadBob · Post by **BaghdadBob** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:59 am

Accountable;1348928 wrote: It wouldn't be able to take a breath because that would require a diaphragm, located in the chest. It might be able to blink and move its mouth. I spose it might even be possible for the head to see and hear, but it would be tough to prove.

I'd like to test your theory on my mother-in-law.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 6:27 am

BaghdadBob;1349140 wrote: I'd like to test your theory on my mother-in-law.:wah: Careful. Medusa's head still held power even without its body. :yh_wink

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:12 am

BaghdadBob;1349140 wrote: I'd like to test your theory on my mother-in-law.I can empathize with her.