From the customs of ancient civilizations to the interesting (and uncommon) ways that people die, the subject of death is quite popular. In this article, you will learn more facts and trivia regarding the ins and outs of leaving the earth, and what happens afterwards.
Body Composition
The human body will decompose four times as fast in the water than it will on land.
New York City
Many people picture New York City as a murder capital of the world, but actually, more people are said to die by suicide in the city rather than being killed.
Hair and Nails
Some people believe that the hair and nails of a dead person will continue to grow long after they have passed away. The reasoning behind this theory is that both parts of the body are comprised of keratin and dead cells , so when the body dies , this event should not affect their process of growth.
The Electric Chair
The inventor of the electric chair is often considered an unlikely candidate for the job. It was a dentist named Dr. Albert Southwick who first proposed the idea of the electric chair in 1881. He got the idea after seeing a man get electrocuted.
Ancient Egyptian Tradition
When a cat died during ancient Egyptian times, it was customary for owners to shave off their eyebrows to commemorate their fallen pet.
Lethal Injection
You’d think that the procedure has been around for a long time, but the first execution in the United States by lethal injection took place in 1982.
The Importance of Oxygen
One of the most common causes of death is when there is a lack of oxygen in the body , something that takes place in nearly all scenarios of death. If the brain does not get enough oxygen, muscles start to compete with one another. This leads to your system spasm out of control. In the end, this is what takes the life of an individual.
Holding Your Breath
You cannot kill yourself by holding your breath.
Scared of Spiders?
A fear of spiders is commonplace amongst people. In fact, it is said that the eight-legged creatures are more feared than dying itself. Statistically, it is said that you are more likely to die from a champagne cork hitting you than from a bite of a poisonous spider.
Longevity
One in two billion people will live to reach the ripe old age of 116 years or older.
Death by Coconut
You’d never know it, but it is said that a simple coconut is more apt to kill a person more than a shark will. Nearly 150 people are killed by coconuts on a yearly basis.
Soap-like Appearance
If the temperature and humidity conditions in the air are at a specific level, when a dead body is buried , certain tissues in the body may turn into a substance that has the same texture as soap. The appearance of the body is affected by the dampness and lack of oxygen in the air. An example of this occurrence is with the corpse of William von Ellenbogen. The body of the soldier displayed the effects of what is referred to as “adipocere” after he died in the Revolutionary War. His corpse was placed on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution.
Lightning
When lightning strikes, the phenomena takes the lives of around 1,000 people each year.