Neo
02-10-2002, 04:34 PM
Spontaneous Human Combustion is the internal combustion of a human being, a person catching on fire for no apparent reason. However, there is no confirmed scientific evidence, or even case studies to support the idea that a human body can ignite. Is spontaneous human combustion (SHC) really that spontaneous, or is there a probable reason to support every event?
Possibly, people came up with the idea of SHC to explain what appear to be ordinary accidents, as the fires were hot enough to burn bone but not hot enough to destroy surrounding surfaces and structures. The vast majority of SHC cases have taken place at sites of small, closed in areas. It has also been demonstrated that fires in small closed in spaces will burn fully for a short period, then slowly burn for hours. The heat from the fire rises to the ceiling and, therefor, does not destroy the surroundings in the room.
Over the years, opinions and theories have been introduced and subsequently discarded as to the cause of this phenomenon. Amongst the religious in the 17th century, it was popularly believed that either it was an act of God for the punishment of sins, or an act of the devil as he claimed a servant's soul. Later it was believed that SHC was caused by consuming great amounts of alcohol in the presence of a flame, causing a dangerous build-up of alcoholic spirits in the body tissue.
In truth, a very high percentage of SHC victims were either known alcoholics or known to be consuming alcohol on the date of the occurrence. But just drinking is not enough, there is always an ignition source present in the room.
All of the SHC cases seem to occur inside a room or confined space where there is a source of ignition, such as a cigarette, fireplace, kerosene stove, candle, etc. Therefore , the burning is never really spontaneous, as there is a catalyst in which ignites the victims.
Another theory is that of oxidation. True, oxidation does occur in all sorts of odd ways, but no one has ever demonstrated that living cells can spontaneously burst into flames. There is no evidence that SHC exists.
Since there is no confirmed scientific evidence, and none oft he case studies support the existence of spontaneous human combustion, the drawn conclusion is that SHC does not exist. For each even there appears to be a practical and simple answer. An answer in which contradicts the many theories of spontaneous human combustion. SHC may exist, but until it can be scientifically proven, it will be rightfully looked upon as propaganda.
Possibly, people came up with the idea of SHC to explain what appear to be ordinary accidents, as the fires were hot enough to burn bone but not hot enough to destroy surrounding surfaces and structures. The vast majority of SHC cases have taken place at sites of small, closed in areas. It has also been demonstrated that fires in small closed in spaces will burn fully for a short period, then slowly burn for hours. The heat from the fire rises to the ceiling and, therefor, does not destroy the surroundings in the room.
Over the years, opinions and theories have been introduced and subsequently discarded as to the cause of this phenomenon. Amongst the religious in the 17th century, it was popularly believed that either it was an act of God for the punishment of sins, or an act of the devil as he claimed a servant's soul. Later it was believed that SHC was caused by consuming great amounts of alcohol in the presence of a flame, causing a dangerous build-up of alcoholic spirits in the body tissue.
In truth, a very high percentage of SHC victims were either known alcoholics or known to be consuming alcohol on the date of the occurrence. But just drinking is not enough, there is always an ignition source present in the room.
All of the SHC cases seem to occur inside a room or confined space where there is a source of ignition, such as a cigarette, fireplace, kerosene stove, candle, etc. Therefore , the burning is never really spontaneous, as there is a catalyst in which ignites the victims.
Another theory is that of oxidation. True, oxidation does occur in all sorts of odd ways, but no one has ever demonstrated that living cells can spontaneously burst into flames. There is no evidence that SHC exists.
Since there is no confirmed scientific evidence, and none oft he case studies support the existence of spontaneous human combustion, the drawn conclusion is that SHC does not exist. For each even there appears to be a practical and simple answer. An answer in which contradicts the many theories of spontaneous human combustion. SHC may exist, but until it can be scientifically proven, it will be rightfully looked upon as propaganda.