The Electric Scare in Mew York.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 444, 8 February 1890, Page 3

The Electric Scare in Mew York.

The post-mortem examinations in the recent cases of death caused by electric wires have, says the New York correspondent of the “ Standard,” thrown much light upon the obscure pathology of such a death. In Tuesday’s case, the burns upon the palm of the hand showed that the current entered through the nippers used to cut the wire. The exit was disclosed by burns upon the forearm, where it rested upon another wire. Although the direct path was scarcely one foot long, yet the heart and lungs showed numerous haemorrhagic punctures, characteristic of death by electricity. The scientific view, as expressed by the coroner, who is a physician, is that the popular idea that electricity kills by a shock to the brain and nerves is erroneous. The current follows the blood, which is even a better conductor than water. The blood is thus disorganised, and the vital vascular organs are fatally engorged by a spasm of the heart. Death primarily results from asphyxia; injury to the nerve centres is usually the last effect. The autopsy in the instance of the show - case accident recently telegraphed, traces the death to an ill made boot. Burns upon the foot directed attention to the chafing by a nail, which protuded through both sides of the sole, thus furnishing a mental contact with the iron grating. The popular alarm feeds upon such details, which appear to bring death within the circle of anyone’s daily life. Yesterday a street car caught an electric wire and stripped off the insulation. Fortunately no one was killed, but the consequences were serious enough to increase the feeling of alarm. The driver was thrown into the street. The horses, terrified by the shock, ran away ; while the metal work of the car flashed and flamed from the wheels to the roof.