These practices predate refrigeration, antibiotics, and -- believe it or not -- the stethoscope (which in its recognizable binaural modern form only dates to th

These practices predate refrigeration, antibiotics, and -- believe it or not -- the stethoscope (which in its recognizable binaural modern form only dates to the 1850s, and took some years to catch on after being invented). With no easy way to detect a weak heartbeat, you don't want to leave corpses lying around unrefrigerated in summer!