Pietro Manni (1778-1839) and the care of the apparently dead in the Age of Positivism.

When can a man be declared 'really dead'? Being able to determine whether an individual's life has ended or not implies two important considerations, whether we can resuscitate him and avoid premature burial, the fear of which is termed 'taphophobia'. By the end of the 18th century, several scientists were involved in the study of apparent death and resuscitation. Pietro Manni was an obstetrician who, affected by his brother's death and his inability to help him, devoted himself to the study of apparent death, which became his aim in life. His Practical handbook for the care of the apparently dead is a detailed essay on resuscitation with a precise arrangement of topics - ventilation, tracheostomy, electricity and asphyxia in newborns - organised into chapters and paragraphs that resemble current texts on resuscitation.