RE: cruzan v schiavo what a difference a decade makes

What is the reaction of someone in her state to death by thirst and starvation? It may be that she is being given morphine to temper down normal, human reaction to being slowly killed.
 
Moorad

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From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of jack syme
Sent: Sun 3/27/2005 10:28 AM
To: Glenn Morton; ASA@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: cruzan v schiavo what a difference a decade makes

That question is more of a philosophical one than a physiological one.
There is no question that there are opiate receptors in the still
functioning subcortical portion of the brain. It seems likely that without
a cortex however she is experiencing no pain. The key word being
experiencing, and the assumption that it takes a cortex to experience
anything. But, the morphine would have its intended physiological response.

The use of morphine will likely make her appear peacful and comfortable. It
is probably really more of a treatment that is making those around her feel
better than it really is making Terri Schiavo's experience any different.

Knowing what your opinion of this matter is, I suspect that you are
skeptical of its use. But using morphine in this situation is completely
routine. It is part of what are called "comfort measures". It is used
whenever treatment is withdrawn, and the patient is dying.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glenn Morton" <glennmorton@entouch.net>
To: <ASA@calvin.edu>
Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2005 9:08 AM
Subject: RE: cruzan v schiavo what a difference a decade makes

> Just curious. Why would they give morphine to a woman who is so brain
> damaged as not to be capable of feeling pain? The news reports now say
> they are giving Schiavo morphine. Is there a physiological reason for
> this?
>
Received on Sun Mar 27 12:11:06 2005