Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-29
EFFECT OF CURRENTS.
The Alternating Very Speedily Puts
aStop 10 Respiration.
RAISES THE BODY's TEMPERATURES
The Plan Of the New Underground Electric
Road for Berlin.
ISCANDEsCENT LIGHT AND THE EYES
RAISES THE BODY's TEMPERATUF
IScANDEsCENr LIGHT AND THE EYEl

WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPArcH.f
The celebrated French electrician, D'Ar-
sonval, has been making Investigations into
the physiological effects of continuous and
alternating electric currents. Continuous
currents have no action on the nerves. In
order to contract nerve near the dia-
phragm it is necessary to employ one ten
thousandth part of a volt. NJ D'Arsonval
contends that -exctability depends on
the constitution and on the nature of the
nerves.
The effects of alternating currents are
quite different. 1t is necessary, first of al, !,
to distinguish between currents of low
frequency and currents of high frequency.
If a current is passed between the two hind
paws ofa dog, or between one front and one
hind paw, respiration is suspended. In the
case of an accident by alternating currents
artificial respiration should be performed
for some time A case is on record of dog
which was brought back to life after 20
minutes cessation of breathing. After
respiration is performed, it is possible to
pass a current of ], 900 volts and one ampere
without killing the animal. Bat the con-
fractions which follow raise the temperature
from 80 to As degrees at the end of 25
minutes, and the animal then dies from the
effects of the heat on the heart.
Death can be prevented under these con-
ditions BY exposing the body to cold. In
electrical executions it has been noticed that
the temperature rises above the normal
limit. This elevation of temperature is
caused not by the electrical energy, but by
the contraction of the muscles which are
operated upon.
Underground Electric Road for Berlin.
Rapid transit is to be given to the citi-
zens Of Berlin by the adoption of an under
ground electric railway system. The system
is in many respects the same as that already
in successful use in London. This system,
it will be remembered, was rejected by the
Rapid Transit Commission of New York last
year as not meeting the requirements Of
their city. The first line to be constructed
in Berlin will be about four miles long, of
double track, with IA stations, and the cost
of construction is estimated at So, 600, 900.
Separate tunnels are to be driven for each
track, and the lines will cross either above
or below each other, as may be necessary.
By a special arrangement of loops switches
will be dispensed with and trains can pass
from one tunnel into another without inter-
ruptlon.
The tunnels will consist of mild steel
tubes of oval section, 1892 inches thick,
lis feet high and nearly 10 feet wide at
their lower part. They will be driven from
26 to 40 feet below the street surface, or 81
feet below the bed of the River Spree. The
gauge of the track will be % feet, and the
wires of the electric conduit for supplying
motive power, lighting tunnels, etc. will be
placed between the rails, power being gen.
Grated in central stations and distributed
over the whole system. The trains, consist
ing of. three vestibule cars, with seating
capacity of 40 persons each, will run at
intervals of 3 minutes, with a maximum
speed of 10 to 16 miles an hour. From the
surface stations passengers will descend to
the stations below in elevators holding from
40 to 80 persons each.