# On administering punishment via lashing **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 18, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955 "2007-11-18T21:08:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sequent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Sequent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sequent)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/1 "2007-11-18T21:08:47Z")
Inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=444315), in which are found links to stories about people in Saudi Arabia being sentenced to [200 lashes](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311848,00.html) and even [7000 lashes](http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=9507). Not wanting to hijack the thread, I have some (morbid) questions about the logistics of administering such punishments. I’m assuming the victim is restrained and the lashes are administered the the back only? I’m assuming such large numbers have to be meted out in groups between which the victim is allowed to heal? If so, what’s the maximum number of lashes delivered in one session and time between sessions? Or are high lash counts generally considered equivalent to a death sentence? I further assume that there is extensive scarring and at least a modest amount of blood loss; is medical attention given to the victims after punishment? I would think at some point (after perhaps a few dozen lashes at most) the pain would result in loss of conciousness…does the lashing continue or are the victims revived? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/2 "2007-11-18T21:11:57Z")
I already [tried asking.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=444375) A little info in that thread, but maybe more info can be brought to light by participants in this thread? -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Sequent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Sequent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sequent)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/3 "2007-11-18T23:23:19Z")
D’oh. Sorry, **Frylock** , didn’t even see that. My bad for not searching more. Mods, feel free to close or merge or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/4 "2007-11-19T01:11:34Z")
I like this thread better. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/5 "2007-11-19T03:19:45Z")
[QUOTE=Sequent] Inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=444315), in which are found links to stories about people in Saudi Arabia being sentenced to [200 lashes](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311848,00.html) and even [7000 lashes](http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=9507). Not wanting to hijack the thread, I have some (morbid) questions about the logistics of administering such punishments. I’m assuming the victim is restrained and the lashes are administered the the back only? I’m assuming such large numbers have to be meted out in groups between which the victim is allowed to heal? If so, what’s the maximum number of lashes delivered in one session and time between sessions? Or are high lash counts generally considered equivalent to a death sentence? I further assume that there is extensive scarring and at least a modest amount of blood loss; is medical attention given to the victims after punishment? I would think at some point (after perhaps a few dozen lashes at most) the pain would result in loss of conciousness…does the lashing continue or are the victims revived? [/QUOTE] The person could probably survive 100 or so, but if there are more, there would have to be at least a few days in between sessions if they are expected to survive. WAG. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-administering-punishment-via-lashing/426955/6 "2007-11-19T03:25:52Z")
[QUOTE=vivalostwages] The person could probably survive 100 or so, but if there are more, there would have to be at least a few days in between sessions if they are expected to survive. WAG. [/QUOTE] Not true. People often received 500 in a day, or 1000 in two days - with a real break-the-skin whip, not the lighter whip used in Saudi Arabia - and survived. See my post in the other thread.