The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1890-08-16
EFFECT OF LIGHTNING.
Numerous Deaths Occurring in All
Parts Of the World.
Curious and Appalling Freaks Of This Sud-
den and Unexpected Agent Of Destruc-
tion-A Physlcian's Report Of
Philadelphia Woman's Case.

NFs$ t&fs i}a- tItEHa.f
The majority of deaths from light
ming occurs in the level, open country,
trees, villages and thickly built-up
towns and cities, by their projections
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 1,7OO 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
1889 deaths in France, while in the
United States during 1870 alone 2O2
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, the
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 a
pin. They may pass in all directions
from the place first struck or skip about
from one part to another. This is due
to the conduction of the current by the
clothing, which il wet acts as an excel
lent conductor. y ~
For the purpose of illustrating these
effects the following report of a case is
taken from the Philadelphia Medical
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 studding
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 the left
eye, midway between the eyebrow and
hair, which was apparently the part
nearest the corner of the bird cage;
1Cor ,,,r -
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 the 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
me loot was reached, from which it
passed OIL by the joint of the great toe,
tearing 2 place about two inches in
uiamreter In the stocking and slipper,
out not leaving the slightest mark upon
me skin. With the exception OF the
.-.o>N SPOoioA tIAO pOStcTlOr pdrI OI Juo
ieit leg, and one or two small burns on
me body and the right leg, congested
mes alone marked the course Of the
elec ctricity in its passage over the body.
Her condition was found to be as
l.elows; Completely uncopscious; mo-
'llonless; muscles relaxed; left eye
Closed, right eye open; face purple;
pulse at wrist imperceptible; neither
eartsounds nor respiratory sounds to be
neard. AT once artificial breathing was
fesorted to, and in from two to three min
u'es the first sign of life appeared in
movement of the left leg. The blue color
iaded from the face and the pulse was felt
a1 the wrist. Soon new train Of symp-
IONS set in. There was difficult respir-
1a'ion. The mucus and saliva, which were
very abundant, had gravitated back and
could not be swallowed because Of COM
3Raete paralysis OF the pharynx, etc.
mere was, in fact, paralysis Of almost
~ the muscles of the uppermost parts
Vl the body, including the arms. \ The