THE HORRORS OF EXECUTION BY ELECTRICITY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2608, 30 March 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE HORRORS OF EXECUTION BY ELECTRICITY.

The New York Medico- Legal Society have held several meetings lately for the purpose of preparing essayn upon the ■iubjeot of taking life by electricity. These essays have been Mibmitti-d to a epecial oouimittee authorised to devise the best methods for carrying out the new law, which provider for the conduct of exeoui.ious after Januiry 1 in thn State of New York by the >netb'>.l of electricity. After nature deliberation (he following plan has been dttvHud lor .'his new form of exc< i-ution: —'V -'on' i-hM", covered with xubaer clot!-., an-i havi;.''i: c iioLs aionsr ita >:rd':'' f;>. (ir-i-i:-iur. or :i *tronir ohair, -I'louUl hu pr-iouifi 1. The prisoner lying ■m his buck or si tintr should be firmly ■lOiinJ upon this table or in a chair. Oil" elf'trod" fhoiiid Vie co in--«rt"ij in tlie t ible or into the ■.iek of trie nh tit- th it it would imiiinjra upin th- spiiu burwpn. the shoulders. The head sliDuld lie secured by means of a sort of tioiuiet fastened to tie table or bur.'n of the oliuir, and to thi-s iielmet the other pole should be joined, 30 is to press firmly vvirh its eud upon the 'op of the Tho «hair is recotnmeuded in preference to the tablb. Tho rheophores can be led off to a dynami .nruuiih tut- floor or to another room, and r.he inurnment for closinu the eiro.ni< can he attached to till", wall. The electrodes -Imiilil ho of ni-itn 1 , not over on« inch in ,lWm<Ur.r, •scnowhi , ; ov.l in shape, and covered with a thick liyer of sponge or chamois skin. Tliw an I the skiu and the hair at the pohi's of c ntact should be thoroughly wnt 'viih warm water. The hair shoul-i !w cut hlio t. A dynaitio geaiU'a'Uii; in elfcr oriotive force of at least 3000 volts sb mid be employed. Either i cimt'iiiioua or alternating fiii;r. v : «if»y ho u.,h("!, but pr^fifi'al. l ) 'r; --.r, ■- V ir.r \rre;itsiiould Iβ sllowtt , ! t , ii•■■• "or llr ■ y se" mils.