Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 370

<b>מי הוא החשוב כמת אף על פי שעודנו חי. ובו סעיף אחד:</b><br>מי שנשברה מפרקתו ורוב בשר עמה וכן מי שנקרע מגבו כדג אפילו עדיין הוא חי חשוב כמת ומטמא אבל גוסס ומי שנשחטו בו ב' סימנים או פצוע פצעים הרבה אינם מטמאין עד שתצא נפשם ומ"מ אסור ליכנס לבית שיש בו גוסס (ויש מתירין) (ר"ן סוף מ"ק ומרדכי פרק אלו מגלחין בשם בה"ג) (וטוב להחמיר):

One whose neckbone and the larger portion of the surrounding flesh was broken, and likewise, one who was torn up along the back as a fish, even if he is still living, is regarded as dead and defiles [through overshadowing]. in accord with R. Joḥanan and Samuel. In the case of an old man whose neckbone alone was broken without the larger portion of the surrounding flesh having been severed, he is considered dead and defiles ( ibid .). If one’s neck was split widthwise into two or if the spinal column was cut towards its interior, or if split in two, he defiles by overshadowing — ShaK . Hence, a Kohen is prohibited to enter the same house or tent wherein these persons are present. But a dying person § 339. and one in whom both organs were cut, or one who is wounded [with] many [open] wounds, do not defile [men or vessels] until their soul departs. Nevertheless, it is forbidden [for a Kohen ] to enter a house in which there is a dying person, s.v. ומהכא . The prohibition mentioned in connection with Kohanim (Priests) who are cautioned against defiling themselves for the dead who are not near-of-kin states: ‘To profane himself’ (Lev. XXI, 4), which is explained ( ibid . according to one opinion) to mean that the actual profanation is forbidden until the time that the dying person is dead, although no defilement exists as yet, the reason being that the majority of dying persons, die. According to another opinion, since the Bible in speaking of the Nazirite’s prohibition against uncleanness even for near-of-kin, states: ‘When they die’ (Num. VI, 7), it follows that he may be present with them until they actually die. Hence, there is no profanation prior to death. Caro’s ruling here follows the first opinion. and some permit , to M.K. III end and Mord. ibid. on the authority of BeHaG — G. and it is proper to adopt the stricter view . from sleep in order to inform him that a dying person is present in the same house so that the Kohen should leave (this would be required in case a corpse were present there. infra § 372 Gloss). If they did inform him and he was undressed, he may take time to dress himself and then leave — ShaK. A physician who is a Kohen may enter the house of a dying person in order to heal the latter even if there is another physician available who is not a Kohen — P.Tesh.