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#1
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08-30-2014, 06:17 AM
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 ★The Queen★ Poster Rank:67 Female Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 23,498
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Risus Sardonicus
Risus Sardonicus From Wikipedia Risus Sardonicus or Rictus Grin, is a highly characteristic, abnormal, sustained spasm of the facial muscles that appears to produce grinning. The name of the condition derives from the appearance of raised eyebrows and an open, "grin," - which can appear sardonic or malevolent to the lay observer - displayed by those suffering from these muscle spasms. Causes It is most often observed as a sign of tetanus. It can also be caused by poisoning with strychnine. In 2009, scientists at the University of Eastern Piedmont. in Italy claimed to have identified hemlock water dropwort, (Oenanthe crocata), as the plant historically responsible for producing the sardonic grin. This plant is the most likely candidate for the, "sardonic herb," which was a neurotoxic plant used for the ritual killing of elderly people in pre-Roman Sardinia. In Popular Culture Arthur Conan Doyle's hero, Sherlock Holmes, uses the term to describe the facial distortion of the murder victim Bartholomew Sholto in his story, The Sign of the Four. This also led to Dr. Watson confirming strychnine poisoning. A case of risus sardonicus features in the short story, "Sardonicus," by Ray Russell, later used as the basis of the 1961 William Castle movie, '"Mr. Sardonicus. One of my favorites!  In the Batman comic book series, The Joker,uses a toxin on some of his victims that induces a highly stylized version of this condition. In the video game Batman: Arkham City, the Joker's face assumes the same face upon his death. In season 3, episode 6, "True Romance: Part 1," of the UK TV series, "Cracker", a body is found that exhibits risus sardonicus secondary to the cause of death being electrocution. First photo is an actual patient. The second and third are from the movie, "Mr. Sardonicus."  ·  ·  · |
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#2
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08-30-2014, 08:23 AM
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 ✝Mudderator from Hell✝ Poster Rank:10 e-mail Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 94,948
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Re: Risus Sardonicus
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#4
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08-30-2014, 09:05 PM
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 ★ Legacy Member ★ Poster Rank:192 All woman Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 7,782 Mentioned: 22 Post(s) Quoted: 1420 Post(s)
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Re: Risus Sardonicus
Well, I'll be seeing the guy in the 2nd picture in my nightmares from now on.....
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#5
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08-30-2014, 09:19 PM
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| ★The Queen★ Poster Rank:67 Female Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 23,498
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Re: Risus Sardonicus
Great old George Castle movie! The actor, Guy Rolfe, lived a long life, died at 91, appearing in other horror classics such as, "Puppet Master," and, "Dolls." Check those out, too!  ·  ·  · |
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#9
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08-31-2014, 04:40 AM
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 My Rank: FIRST SERGEANT Poster Rank:406 Male Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,957 Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Quoted: 447 Post(s)
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Re: Risus Sardonicus
I was quoting and going to add - I remember The Puppet Master, there was a spin-off , Demonic Toys, they ended up doing a movie together - The Puppet Master Vs. Demonic Toys. My mom is a movie buff. had over 10,000 movies on VHS prior to the arrival of DVD. Lots of horror movies, she was big on "B" horror flicks... Grew up watching all this stuff in the 80's/90's.. |
