New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-23
IN FAVOR OF ELECTRICITY.
TESTIMONY OF DIR. ROCKwELE
HE THINKS THAT AN ALTERNATING CURR1c4
WILL PRODUCE INSTANTANEOUS AND
PAINLESS DEATH.

PAINLESS DEATH
Only two witnesses we're examined in the Kenmesp
reference case yesterday both being called by Deputy
Attorney-General Poste for the Commonwealth The
first was Dr. A. d. Rockwell, OF No. 113 West Thirty
fourth-st, specialist nervous and mental diseases
and acknowledgements and professor at the New.
York POSTGRADUATE Medical Schools In tho course
OF Us twenty-five years practice, DR.. Rockwell has
become well-acquainted with the whole fch OF The
electrical resistance Of human beings and Mr.. Poses
examination Of him this point drew forth much
valuable information The witness gave the following
general principles as the result of his observation
The electrical resistance OF decreases with the
continuance Of the current, falling moro rapidly tho
higher the potential Of the current used. The mini<
mum OF different persons varies between 200 and
400 ohms. In the case OF 900 volt current tn
reduction of the resistance would be almost instan
tancous. While the resistance of persons vartoe
greatly when weak current Is first applied, TIE
milliampere measurement shows that 1t becomes ap-
proximatey the after the current has flowed
for some time. The size of the electrodes and tho
efficacy Of their contact with the flesh Of the subject
also lessons the resistance. Some people are more
susceptible to electricity than Others bat this depends
largely on their ability to endure pain Of any kind
1t would amount to little nothing In the Of
current strong enough TO be fatal"
The witness then described Harold P Browns
experiments dogs calves and horses at the Edison
An alternating current of from 400 to 1000 volts was
used and caused Instantaneous death in every case
but one in which dog endured the current for .
minute or two before it was killed.
This delay, Dr. Rockwell explained; was
caused by too liberal application OF q solution
of sulphae Of zinc to the electrodes The LIQUID ran
down the animals sides and diverted part of the
current.
al convinced said the witness in rcply-te Q
QueStiOn from Mr. POSfe h
generated that Will aninstantaneous and painless
death in every instance. Experiments have shown
that the alternating current is deadly than the
continuous. and believe that 200 volts of the former
would be fatal in every 1900 volts are used
there would not be the slightest doubt In my mind.
don't know exactly what the pathological effects ofhe
current would be- bat 1t is known that the tissues
the interior Of the body uptured the blood is
agulated and the action of the and lungs stopped.
The effect Of the current of course depends on tho
circumstances and II the execution were not con-
Quoted scientific principles, l could not be 50
positive to its result
The witnesses evidence on the difference betweon
the effects of lightning, static cleo
tricity, and dynamic electricity
human being was of great Importance
On this subject Or. Rockwell said: .The action Of
static electricity the human body affords certain
means of judging of the effects of dynamic current.
The latter learn in using 1t in medicine. passes
through the brain, while the former remains for tho
most part the surface Of the body. In charging
pail of water with static electricity, 1t is found that
tho charge is entirely on the surface. This explains
why people not always killed by stroke OF light
ming that burns them severely and tears tho clothes
from their bodies. The force of the electricity Is
mainly spent on the periphery of the body. and little
reaches the centres dynamic current
the other hand, is generally dfused throughout the
body following the paths of least resistance, which
are the muscular tissues most charged with saline
fluids such as the blood. The skin, bones and flesh
of the body in themselves noncOndEctors OF cleo
trclty but when molstcned with the blood become
fairly good conductors. The current therefore, fol-
lows the of the blood vessels and hence per
meates the whole body.
If large and thoroughly moisened electpodes were
used, there would be little probability that the GRIM
ina would be burnt If death did not follow at Onoo.
however, the current would IN time, perhaps several
minutes, burn the flesh unless the electrodes were
kept wet. This could be done. l suppose, by an
Arrangement for constantly dripping water thsm.'
Harold p. Brown, who furnished the dynamos which
are 60 be used In the executions was then recalled TO
place In evidence his pamphlet which described his
experiments on animals with electric currents Then
Mr. Posto asked for an adjournment until 10 a. m
to-day. because he wished to go to Orange. ~ j., 10
ask Thomas 4. Edison to testify n-dsy. As Mr..
Cochran was also anxious 10 have Mr.. Edison tale
the stand. Referee Becker adjourned the hearing.