Between the mid-1700s and the early 1900s many physicians lost confidence in their ability to declare legal death. This phenomenon was in part sparked by Winslow, whose dissertation claimed the existence of a death-like state often referred to as “suspended animation.” In addition, it argued that victims to these conditions should not be pronounced dead, nor buried, until their bodies demonstrated overt putrefaction. 

Translated into French with commentary by Jean Bruhier as as Dissertation sur l'incertitude des signes de la mort, et l'abus des enterremens, & embaumemens précipités (Paris: Chez Morel...., 1742). And translated into English as The Uncertainty of the Signs of Death and the Danger of Precipitate Interments and Dissections, Demonstrated. ... with proper directions, both for preventing such accidents, and repairing the misfortunes brought upon the constitution by them. To the whole is added a curious and entertaining account of the funeral solemnities of many ancient and modern nations, exhibiting precautions they made use of to ascertain the certainty of death (London: M. Cooper, 1746.) Digital facsimile of the French translation from Google Books at this link.