Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-02-07
EFFECT OF LIGHTNING.


into the air, serving as conductors, and
thereby protecting the Inhabitants
from direct stroke. The loss of life an
nually throughout the world is very
great. In European Russia from 1870 to
1877 no less than 2,270 persons were
killed by this cause. In Austria during
the same time 1,7O0 persons were like
wise killed. In Prussia it is reported
that seventy persons are annually
killed. Ten thousand persons are report
ed as having been struck during a
period OF Internationally years, with
2,253 deaths in France, while in tho
United States during 1870 alone POP
deaths from lightning were recorded.
The effects of lightning stroke are
most interesting, curious and appalling.
The general symptoms are usually Of
shock. There Is often Inconsistencies,
sometimes coma, lasting from few
hours to even days; partial or complete
loss Of sight or hearing, associated with
impairment of the other senses. The
tissues may be burned specifically or
deeply, the bones fractured and portions
of the limbs torn off entirely. The
tracks of lightning on the surface of
the body may have a fancied resem-
blance to the branches Of tree, tho
main stems from which the branches
lead off arising at any portion of the
body. The skin in these tracks may be
simply scarlet in color, slightly swelled
or blistered, the branches tapering off
until no larger than the scratch Of
pin. They may pass in all directions
from the place first struck or skip about
from one part to another. This is duo
to tho conduction of the current by the
clothing, which if wet acts as an excel
lent conductor.
For the purpose of illustrating these
effects the following report of case is
taken from the Philadelphia Me-. cal
News, reported by physician who was
on the spot at the time the accident oc-
Cured, DR.. J. b. Paige:
The current struck the chimney OF
the house and passed down the studdihg
near the window to an iron hook on
which was suspended chain and bird
cage, passed from this to the head Of the
lady, sitting just inside the window,
and beneath the cage, above tho left
eye, midway between the eyebrow and
hair, which was apparently the part
nearest the corner of the bird cage;
passed along in front of the ear, then to
the central line Of the chest, descend
ing by the stocking supporter, which
was attached to the corsets; thence to
the top of the stockings, leaving marks
upon both limbs, but more especially
upon the left, on tho back of which,
just above the knee joint, was burn
about the size Of ones hand. 1t had the
appearance of an ordinary burn, and
was only superficial. NO trace OF the
current could be detected again until
the foot was reached, FROM which it
passed of by the joint Of the great toe,
tearing q place about two inches in
diameter in the stocking and slipper,
but not leaving the slightest mark upon
the skin. With the exception of the
burned spot on the posterior part of the
left leg, and ono or two small burns on
the body and the right leg, congested
lines alono marked the course of the
electricity in its passage over the body.
"Iler condition was found to be as
follows: Completely unconscious; mo-
tiOnless; muscles relaxed; loft eye
closed, right eye open; face purple;
pulse at wrist imperceptible; neither
heartsounds nor respiratory sounds to be
heard. At once artificial breathing was
resorted to, and in from two to three min
utes the first sign Of life appeared in a
movement OF the left leg. The blue color
faded from tho faco and tho pulse was felt
at tho wrist. Soon q new train of symp-
toms set in. There was difficult respir-
alton. The mucus and saliva, which were
very abundant, had gravitated back and
could not be swallowed because OF COM
plete paralysis OF the pharynx, etc.
There was, in fact. paralysis of almost
all tho muscles Of the uppcrmost parts
of tho body, including tho arms. Tho
symptoms were those exhibited by an
animal when being asphxiatcd; violent
muscular contraction; difficult and
forced respiration, etc. Under con-
tinuod efforts consciousness return Il in
three-quarters Of an hour. a period of