FREAKISH LIGHTNING
* CVOSE OF TREE-LIKE OUTLINE ON ' VICTIM'S BODY. A medical correspondent of the "Daily Mail" writes:— Tho deatli by lightning of a in North London during the storm on.September 14 was the subject: of interesting findings at the inquest. Medical evidence stated that: tho body was marked with the imprint of a tree, apparently tho one under which the man wns sheltering, and tho coroner commented on tho extraordinary nature of the case. ■ These tree-like arborisations are not so uncommon in cases of death bv lightning, and their explanation is not so complicated as might'bo imagined. Nevertheless, the extraordinary appearance produced 18 ono nf extreme interest not only to the medical profession, but also lo the general public, and when such cases occur thero is always much speculation as to their causation. Tho markings on fhe skin are reddish brown in colour, and indeed resemble photographic imprints of trees or flhrulw. _ Hut these iuinrints are not photographs produced br the electric current as once was thought. The real explanation prob- m ably is that a very weak current is eub- g, divided bv the resistance of tho tissues, causing tlie rupture of many superficial capillaries, or small blcod-vessels, thus giving the "tree-like arborisation." _ . T|,p electric discharge which constitute* the lightning produces many strange and weird effects, of which perhaps tlie treelite marking is the most striking, thouph wounds closeh* resembling stab wounds may occur. These, from a medico-legal point of view. aro. of great importance, and perhaps their triio nature is only established by the fact of thero having been a. recent thunderstorm. Liglitning plays' other vory strange tricks. A girl was once eroding a meadow during a thunder'torm and wns struct by lightning, and although every shred of clothing was torn from her. she herself merely experienced slight giddiness.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 49, 21 November 1919, Page 10
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301FREAKISH LIGHTNING Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 49, 21 November 1919, Page 10
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