Decapitated heads & consciousness

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

While reading this classis it occurred to me that I had heard about Antoine Lavoisier reportedly having his assistant count the number of times he blinked after his beheading.

I found one reference here

is there any truth behind this?

2

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197507&highlight=lavoisie

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_262.html

Lavoisier story not true.