As printed in Life, a core biology textbook used at Northern Essex Community College:
" Hunger strikes, inhuman treatment of prisoners, and eating disorder can also cause starvation. After several weeks without food, coordination deteriorates. Near the end, the starving human is blind, deaf, and emaciated (Life, 758)." In the case of Terri Schiavo, for example, the autopsy showed that Terri was blind at the time of her death.

"The brain is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which circulates between layers of the meninges and through cavities in the brain called ventricles. It is important both chemically for metabolism and mechanically for shock-prevention. For example, the human brain weighs about 1-1.5 kg. The mass and density of the brain are such that it will begin to collapse under its own weight if unsupported by the CSF (Wikipedia, 'Brain')."

Fluid is made of water. You cannot make fluid without water. So, obviously, denying someone any water for 13 days will make their brain shrink as they begin to die. This alone would have destroyed her cerebral cortex by the time of her death.

Anneliese Michel, the last person to undergo an official Catholic exorcism:   Exorcism by Death A comparison between Anneliese Michel (supposed facts) and the fictional movie, Emily Rose. Photos may be disturbing:  http://www.chasingthefrog.com

Starvation and dehydration, traditionally regarded as horrific fates, are now being advocated by some as painless, peaceful ways to die. Nevertheless, most people in society never see the reality of dehydration before making a decision about whether or not they would want their feeding tubes to be removed, should they become severely injured or have been diagnosed as comatose/PVS. These pictures are intended to give people a visual representation of what dehydration and starvation do to the human body.

Terri Schiavo autopsy report (text only):  Autopsy Findings

The organization run by Theresa Schiavo's parents and siblings, the Terri Schiavo Foundation, is still running. The website detailing their continued activities can be found here:   www.terrisfight.org

An independent blog containing information on contradictions in Michael Schiavo's court case:  http://www.michaelschiavo.org/index.htm

Lisa McPherson autopsy report and photographs:   Death of scientologist Lisa McPherson

News Articles

BBC News (2005): Schiavo case tests America

Newsmax (2005): Schiavo Autopsy Only Muddies Case

ABC Science Online (2006): Thirst makes you feel more pain

The New York Times (2005): Schiavo Autopsy Says Brain, Withered, Was Untreatable