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Evidence ID: HIS-EV54
Evidence: Medical Details Unknown Before Fourteenth Century
Summary: Several medical details were unknown during the fourteenth century when the Shroud of Turin was allegedly forged. Specifically, the details which are observable on the Shroud of Turin include conditions known as pleural effusion and distended abdomen. Therefore, it is improbable that a forger would have known of these medical details, much less represent these details accurately on the Shroud of Turin.
Description: Details regarding the medical conditions involving pleural effusion (John 19:34) and distended abdomen were not discovered until around the eighteenth century. These discoveries post-date the fourteenth century when the Shroud of Turin was allegedly forged.
According to the Gospel of John (John 19:34) , blood and water were released when the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear. This condition known as pleural effusion is a buildup of various fluids between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity [REF-PLE01]. This was likely the result of the scourging and the emotional stress of the victim.
Researchers used ultraviolet light to determine that the strain from the upper chest area was clotted blood serum. Further chemical analysis on the linen was used to determine that the spot contains porphyrin (a component of blood).
The spot depicting the blood and water are clearly visible on the Shroud of Turin.
For a forger to know the precise location of the pleural cavity on the victim's "side" would have been highly unlikely. All a forger had to go on was the imprecise description of the location found in John 19:34.
Further, the density of blood serum was less concentrated near the pleural cavity than other areas. This indicates that the stains were composed of other clear substances such as serous fluids, urine, etc. The Apostle John refers to these liquids as "water".
The condition known as abdomen distension is a buildup of various fluids and air in the abdomen [REF-DIS01]. Abdomen distension of the victim was likely caused by a combination of asphyxiation and heart failure. This buildup of liquids and air causes the abdomen to bulge outward. A distended, swollen abdomen is clearly visible on the Shroud of Turin.
For a forger to know about abdomen distension in the fourteenth century would have been highly unlikely.
These two conditions were unknown by the medical profession in the fourteenth century. Therefore, it is improbable that a forger would have known of these medical conditions, much less represent these details accurately on the Shroud of Turin.
* For more Shroud of Turin evidence regarding Jesus' death and resurrection, please visit the following: [HIS-EV53] [HIS-EV39] [HIS-EV38] [HIS-EV52] [HIS-IS42].
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