The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-07
TorturIng by ELECTRICITY.

Pnrk Benjamin. said recently the idea of
torturing criminals by electricity is not
original with the Russians. 1t is British
Invention, and was first suggested about
| i've years ago by an English mechanical
journal, Ill commenting upon the execution
OF criminals by electric shocks instead of
by hanging. The English writer wanted
| to 90 away with the cat O. nine tails. which
ls administered in England to garroters and
other criminals of certain classes, and use
the electric battery, as he somewhat GRIM
ly expressed 1t, SO as to produce absolutely
Understandable torture (unaccompanied by
wounds or even bruises) thrilling through
every fibre of such miscreants. There was
an American inventor who had design
Tor lnfllctng this species OF punishment.
lie fitted brackets of IRON on the arms and
thighs Of the criminal, and placed in them
wet spongcrs. When connected with a
current OF electricity the shock would by
this system pass thr )ugh the legs and
shoulders and avoid the vital parts of the
body.
The torture inflicted by electricity is of
TWO klnds-by contraction Of the muscles
at rapidly recurring intervals and by burn
ing with sparks. The tortures OF old days.
when not done by fire or compression, we're
the strainng and tearing asunder of tho
muscles. Of this kind were the rack.
scavenger's daughter, and the cages of
Louis XIV, in which a man could not
stnnd up or lie down. The electric shock
exactly revcrscs these conditions. 1t pro.
duces al enormously rapid contraction in
the body OF the muscles at very short inter.
walls. The degree ofpaln produced is about
tho same. The force OF the electricity has
10 DC nicely graded, as too powerful shock
would numb or kill a man.
"Ihc other method is by condcnsinr n
number Df intermittent sparks on the flesh.
This burns the skin, and at the same time
produces contractlons of the muscles. If
put to the side Of tho jaw il would make
every tooth ache.
~ distinguished surgeon Of whom oucs-
tions were asked concerning the mnchinr
said The best way to explain it il to rive
you actual experience; then you will know
exactly how it feels. Here is a Furadic in.
duction coil. pull out this tube little
way. Now let me place this electrodc to
your hand. There"
OH" exclaimed the INQUIRER, as t,nr-
ling, thrilling sensation ran through everv
finger, and his hand closed in an iuv,,nn,
tary grasp.
"Does it hurt?" asked the doctor.
"a little"
"Wcll, we'll try again. Now, you see.
pull This tube further out. again to,nh
it TO your hand and"
'Whoop!" shouted the victim; "take #
away!" The feeling was as if the hand
was crushed III wise. Every nerve ached
and trcmblcd with pain.
mat hurt, dld lLS Why, that's moth
ing. :, Heres something Of very different
lie fastened to one wire a small we,
sPonso, "ha 10 INC other wire something
'Nc palhI prush, with the brush part
nlIoe VI INC wire. lie put the sponge in
the visitors hand, and then touchcd ,hn
back Of the hand with the w,rc hruoh
Inc pain was unbearablc. The suIuI., ~
| the skin was scorchcd and the muocIoo ~
The hahd were contracted in a violent man.
ner.
"That is called the electric scourgc y
said the doctor. eff it were dnrl, vou
could sec sparks fly frQm each wire.
Imagine the effect if the electricity wc,e
lo times more powerful"
Gould any man bear that torturef''
II think not; any man would confcss
under II, hut it is question what cont.
dcncc could be placca N such confession.
~ man would confess anything To escny.
The agony"
"What could you compare the painto9r
~ would be the same us burninr ai,v.
Would 1t injure the man2"
No--not unless the pain drove him in
sane: IL the battery was too powerful il
would XIII at once. Applied to some parts
OF INC oody inc scourgc hurts mere than on
olner parts"