180 THE STORY-BOOK OF SCIENCE 



is struck by a rather strong spark, one feels, particu- 

 larly in the joints, a sudden shock that makes one 

 tremble and feel weak in the knees. With a still 

 stronger spark, the whole body is seized with a sud- 

 den shaking so violent that the joints seem to be sev- 

 ered and one is knocked down by the stroke. Sci- 

 ence possesses appliances powerful enough to kill an 

 ox with the electric shock. 



"The thunderbolt, a spark incomparably stronger 

 than that of our electric machines, gives to men and 

 animals an extremely violent shock ; it throws them 

 down, injures them, and even kills them instantly. 

 Sometimes a person thus struck bears traces, more 

 or less deep, of burning ; sometimes not the slightest 

 wound is to be seen. Death is not, therefore, as a 

 rule, due to any wounds inflicted by the thunder- 

 bolt, but to the sudden and violent shock given to the 

 body. Sometimes death is only apparent: the elec- 

 tric shock simply suspends the primary vital func- 

 tions, circulation and respiration. This state, which 

 would end in death if prolonged, we can combat by 

 giving the person struck the same care bestowed 

 upon the drowned; that is to say, by seeking to re- 

 vive by friction the respiratory movement of the 

 breast. At other times the electric shock more or 

 less paralyzes some part of the body, or perhaps 

 only produces a passing disorder which wears off of 

 itself.'' 



