The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-10
ELECTRIC SHOCK FROM HOUSEHOLD
 CURRENT


 A lay friend writes: "It is a too common fact that votages of 110 and 120 in household circuits are tremely dangerous and often cause death to people receiving shocks of such low voltages. Dr Horatio B. Williams of New York offers an explanation for such deaths. He says that within recent years medical scientists have learned that electricity under the pres sure of a very low potential, often much less than 110 volts, affects the heart causing sort of tremor or wavering in its usual con- traction, which physicians call fbrilation When the current passes through Cne part of the heart this fbrliation occurs without interfering with the circulation; but when the current passes through another part of the heart, the circulation stops at once, and in all large animals death usually follows pr Williams further discusses factors infiu- encing conductivity of the skin, also condi- tions under which dangerous electric shocks are given to people touching electric house. hold appliances. You will find Dr Williams article Danger from Low Voltage Electric Shocks in science news of Science-Supple- ment Vol 74 Mo- 1914, issue of Sept 4. 1931."
 A large share of such fatalities occurs in bath rooms. I hate to draw the moral, but candor compels me to say this is another con- traindication for the wet wash However. if no truck whatever with electric appliances, gadgets, switches, buttons or cords while you're in such a low state of resistance Better finish your scrubbing in the dark than reach up to turn on the light while you're all wet even your fingers are wet. ,, '.
 If the pathology is as Dr Williams describes it, one wonders whether massage of the heart would not save such a victim if 1t were applied promptly on discovery of the tragedy. Massage. that is, through the incision under the border of the ribs.
 To-day I saw tragic story in the paper. Two sisters out for swim in rough water. Something happened to the older sister and she became helpless. The younger one thir- teen, tried to drag her onto rock but her strength was not sufficient and the girl slipped out of her grasp and drowned. Her body was hrnn Oh 4 r1t ea a 4 hy eln nounced her dead. That was the end of the story.
 It should be obligatory to carry out efforts at resuscitaton for at least two hours in every instance where person is rescued from sub mersion within hour after sinking. Artifi- cial respiration by the prone pressure method with inhalations of per cent carbon dioxide- oxygen if an inhalator bag is available, should be carried out from the instant the body Is brought to the surface ana an, t never hour resuscitation effort is finished or the victim revived. Heat should be applied to the body by whatever means may be available. If a doctor Is present he may inject adrenalin or other stmulant into vein or directly into the heart. }t,
 Whatever may have been the practice or custom in the past, and whatever may be the limit of submersion without loss of life, we cannot say we have given such victim every chance unless we follow some such rule as this.
 The doctor in such a case ought to keep on trying even when all hope Is abandoned. Es- pecially where a young life is the stake, the
 
 body to death.
 4Accomplices Take Notice
 Dr Brady Is always pleased to hear from physicians of good standing who are em- plOying any special methods discussed here. He docs not care to hear from quacixs, clinic rack etccrs, drugless healers or other paths" or culturists physician Of good standing is one who Is Q member of his local medical society.
 Gasoline for Foot Itch
 I tried your gasoline treatment for foot itch. In three % applications ,i t put an end to the dies for moro than Q year. (K. W) Answer-At least 1t is harmless. The toes and sole of affected foot should be immersed in a pan of ordinary gasoline (never ethyl gas) for not more than half minute once day for not more than three days.
 How to Make Husband Look Better
 slsort time ago wrote to you about my husbands trouble. he tried out the meth- cd you give in the booklet, "The Constipation Habit" and now he rarely takes M "a a piil; but but years and he looks lot better, too. (Mrs w. M.)
 in the ubiquitous pills which wiseacre Ameri- cans consume with such insouctance might ruin any good looks the customer has. But why does you husband ever take even an occa- slonal pill or physic? If one can keep alive and well a month without such aid. one can go forever without 1t. That's the theory and principle on which I based the booklet. "The Habit" which any reader may have on request. Inclose q dime (not stamps) and 6 stamped envelope bearing your address.
 No Had News
 Dr Brady begs many correspondents who ask questions t0 excuse his silence. If Iso does not feel he can give hclpful advice or information or good news, he prefers to pre-. tend hc didB't set your letter at aII. or course it happens sonsc times that he really never rec ccived the letter you sent him. But in all such cnse2 hc refuses to commit himself. on thc ground that it pileist tend Co make tbe coFfe' spondent unhappy.
 Child wIih Tonsils and Adenoids
 Daughter 6 i.4 years old recently had dOu. ble nlsstoid operation. poeeor says she mast irleB0 advised mo about diatheriny. (slFs A' M.l
 Answsr-whlsh is not sal.ahIs for children