A Medical Review of the Crucifixion
"Medic 101 to County General... We are en route with a 33-year old male who was the victim of a crucifixion. He is in traumatic arrest, intubated and 100% oxygen is being administered. We have two IV's with LR wide open & will be at your ER in 2 minutes." In the previous paramedic report, you are told that in 2 minutes, a victim of crucifixion will be arriving at your ER. Simply put, this will be a trauma patient like no other. When one considers the "worst ways to die," typical responses include death by drowning & death by fire. If you lived 2000 years ago however, you most certainly would disagree. Throughout world history, one of the most feared deaths was that of crucifixion. The first part of the presentation will guide you through the medical, psychological, and emotional aspects of crucifixion. The death of the man called Jesus will be used to illustrate the use of a punishment that was unequaled in its cruelty and depth of suffering.
More recently however, several forensic science and mystery novels have also "resurrected" crucifixion as the way that unfortunate victims are tortured and later killed. The statement that "it doesn't happen anymore" is not quite true as video footage will detail the yearly crucifixions that occur in the Philippines during Lent (not to the point of death however), as well as the ongoing studies by a medical examiner with volunteer medical students & crucifixion in attempts to determine the true cause of death. This lecture will not only review the injuries associated with crucifixion, but also theories as to cause of death. Regardless of religious beliefs, this lecture will give attendees a deeper awareness of "...and they crucified him."