Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-08
INTERESTING GA.vA SIC EXpgm dENrs

The following accoun. of the Ga!varic expert
ments performed on the body OF slave, execut-
ed at Winchester, VA on the 2lst ut, were
furnished at the request Of the Editor of the VIM
chester Republican, by DR. JOHN & w. DUN
BAR, OF that Town, under whose immediate d.
recton they were executed:
Negro Ben. the subject Of these experiments,
AGED g6. a stout, well built subject the muscu-
lar tissue Of the body remarkably we'll developed,
indicating great power. He was suspended from
the gallows about thirty five minutes, and IN ten
minutes after being cut down was delivered to
professional friend By the sheriff tor me, and
brought to a room (where every thing was arrang'
ed for the experiments) which had been Literally
granted by the mayor, adjoining the town hall.
The body was Immediately placed on the operat-
ing table. The acid mixture dilute muratic acid)
was thrown o. the plates as soon as the convey
ance bringing the body appeared in sight. 1t
was discovered from the unusual freedom OF mo-
ton in the neck. that it was dlsocated-Or, as 1t
il called in common language, the neck was bro
ken; and upon cutting down in a subsequent
stage Of the experiments, il was satisfactorily as.
certanei that the first and second vertebra (atIas
and dentata) were separated space sufficient to
admit the end of the little finger. The appear.
ance Of the face was quite natural. and seemed
az if the unhappy subject Of the justly offended
law had passed from life with none Of those strug
gles and dreadful agonies which attend the
throes of dissolution, and particularly in this
most horrible mode Of causing death.
The experiments were now commenced by
| gentleman TO whom was assigned the anatomical
| part, exposing, by a very handsome dissection,
an important nerve il the neck. which supplies
tthe nervous power to the lungs and stomach (par
vaeum, or pneumogastric.l A long silver needle,
similar to those used in accupunctusiion, was
now introduced. through the space between the
ribs, deep into the substance Of the heart The
object Of introducing a needle into the heart was
10 endesvor 10 ascertain whether any lrriability
renamed, and to attempt TO throw some light on
a disputed question, whether the heart was sus.
cept,ble Of excltation BY the Galvanic fluid.
The positive pole Of the battery was now ap.
piled to the nerve (per vagum,j and the negative
pole to the silver needle in the heart. There
was no percep,ibIe action Of the heart, as it would
in all probability have been evidenced by the
auivering motion Of the needle it il had taken
place; and 10 no way that we could discover,
was its irri,abiliiy evidenced, either BY the sim
pie introduction Of the silver probe. or the action
of the Galvanc fluid. But the effect OH the
other parts Was very evident The muscles Of
the neck and chest were affected by strong con
vulslve twitchings, most str'kingly displayed in
those muscles called by anatomists, patysma my
oidens. sterno thyroldeus, and mastoideus pecto
raj and intercostal muscles. There was also Z
convusive motion of the muscles in the region o.
the stomach, and contraction Of the muscles oil
the throat as in the act Of swallowing.
A needle was now inserted into the tendnoui
head Of the diaphragm. the positive wife Of thu
battery applied to the par vagon nerve. and The
negative to the needle. The contraction end re-
Taxation Of the diaphragm was very evident from
the protruding and relaxation Of the Abdominal
muscle; the effect seemed to increase IS the acid