The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07

sPafH stu1Is proven
from Leyden jars charged by coil. hence the
question arises whether it would be advisable
70 use the proposed slate coil simply as
charger Tor the proper number of jars which would
furnish the spark. Leydeu jars are very cheaply
and easily made and new battery OF them might be
used at each execution. On the other hand there
many obvious advantages IN an apparatus entirely
self-conained Us originally contemplated. In such
case 1t is known that the connection OF Leyden jar
some other form of condenser of electricity with
the secondary outer thin wire OF tue coil greatly
augments the accumulation OF electricity at the
discharging points. 1t would be question
for the inventor devise such combination
OF coil and condenser rs would give sparks of
highest tension while occupying the least room.
Modern investigation on this subject, neagre and
incomplete it is seems to be at least sufficient to
spark kill but that it will kill instantly. And here
execution by electricity to be far in advance
of any other mode OF destroying life yet suggested.
Your correspondents have advocated chloroform.
the tenotome and carbonc acid. All open to grave
objections.
Those relating to chlorotorm are many The
commercial product is seldom uniform IN quality.
and careful surgeons always uurify II with caustc
potash before using it, Its effects are scarcely the
same on any two persons Inc surgeon IN
shsse '' ease rspUr's Injured bv an being
copiously supplied with the anaesthetic for three
and half hours during railroad journey without
rcapsns into steady insensibility. The effect OF
the orug at stage is to cause involuntary strug
Cling. and to this added the voluntary efforts OF
person determined to resist it's influence to the
last. considerable retardaton OF that influence might
Again, if the criminal is to be anaethstzed.
why not make sure work and give him enough to
stupefv HIM and then hang him? This seems to be
the French idea when large draught OF raw brandy
is given to the suddenly awakened condemned just
before he is taken to the gulotne.
TENoToME.
The tcnotome, piercing the spinal marrow after
the fashion OF the matador's sword in bull fight.
death, and even the pain of dividing the
skin could probably be obviated by using swiftly
revolving blade as suggested by DR.. Richardson in
his essays painless surgery But the fatal objec-
ton to this-whch applies also TO the adminstra-
ton or poisons aud ahnsthetcs-s thatit makes the
stf fhn raj fha
medical faculty will welcome any such addition to
their professional duties even ii the same were adj
visable on grounds OF public policy.
DROWNING
SuHocaton by carbonic acid brings up the picture
of terrible death which could be resisted Tor
time, just drowning can be warded OF for eter-
nifty of torture by simply holding the breath. Ad-
vocates of carbonc acid or other deadly gas will
find all the necessary apparatus ingeniously de-
scribed in Mr.. Wilkie Collins novel. 'Armadale."
ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS
That experiments bearing the use of electricity
in executions would be valuable seems to be con-
coded by many OF. your correspondents. l differ.
should be relegaed by the State Board of Physi-
clans. 1t is more pertaining to the business OF
MEDICAL men than is the construction of the gaows
and the less they have 10 do with it. exclu-
| sively as class. the more likely its practical
success casual inspection Of the fearful and
| wonderful apparatus Ill any surgical instrument
shop will convince most people that medical
mechanical ingenuity being removed from free COM
| petition with that OF other callings by absurd
code OF cast iron ethics, too frequently wanders
paths devious, though fortunately profitable for the
| person most Denchted-tAe instrument maker-the
| requirements. SO far be ascertained should
be succnctly stated and the subject submitted to the
inventors OF the country. with the offer OF suitable
reward tor efficient apparatus. The judges should
| be mixed Board. composed OF electrician, q
physician, conversant with electric therapeutics and
u mechanical engineer. The electrician and engineer
should be charged with examining the construction
| of devices submitted. and of conducting indie
dendent series of experiments to determine proba-
| bly, the best forms of apparatus. The results Of
these experiments should be- published at intervals
for the information and guidance OF inventors The
tNNyf of1
! powerful coil and battery to determine
| the exact effect of high tension discharges
on the living body under all conditions At the close
the competition and after certain apparatus has
been accepted by the judges further experimenting
should be conducted i'll order to discover whether
any improvements in that particular device be
made. The foregoing, think, indicates the shortest
ard road to doing away with practice. which,
though sanctioned by law is disgrace to civilized
people. PARK BENJAMIN, Phi. ID.