(From α, neg. and a pulse, from , to leap, or beat, like an artery). It is so named, because the pulse is not perceptible to the touch; but the characteristic signs of this disease are, the symptoms of apparent death, for the most part, suddenly coming on. If a patient, gradually growing worse, at length dies, that state is not an asphyxy, for this term must be confined to a disease from which a patient may recover. All the causes of death which do not wholly destroy the irritability of the muscular sys- -tern, may be considered as the sources of asphyxia. Syncope for a time assumes its form, though the characteristic appearances of death are seldom observed in any great degree. See Lipothymia, Apoplexia, Syncope, Submersio, Suspensio, and Congelatio.

It is however necessary to remark, that those who appear to die suddenly should be kept till they begin to grow putrid and offensive; but if signs of an aneurism being burst, or of an apoplexy, or of an inveterate vomica, have preceded this sudden death, we can certainly judge whether it is in reality death, or only an asphyxy. See Lancisius, Winslow, and Bruhier, on this subject.