182 THE AMEEICAN MONTHLY [August, 



strong arm at upper end which projects forward over the head of cul- 

 prit, and carries the head electrode, which may be secured at any point 

 by simply turning a binding screw which secures the upright piece sup- 

 porting the electrode ; by this means the chair can be used for a large 

 or small individual. A foot rest, which can be pulled out from under 

 the seat of chair, has a cross or body piece provided to prevent the feet 

 or body from sliding forward when a current is applied and rigor of the 

 muscles ensues. This foot rest vs^as not used at the execution. With- 

 out this, however, the straps supplied secure the body from moving. 

 Straps are provided to secure the arms and limbs from movement. One 

 passes around chest holding the upper portion of the body from moving 

 forward ; a combination chin and forehead mask prevents any move- 

 ment of the head. 



The spinal electrode is held in place by a strap which is attached to 

 each arm of the chair; another strap secures it to the criminal, while 

 an abdominal strap pulls the body backward against it. The head elec- 

 trode is provided with a spring which takes up any downward move- 

 ment of the head if it should occur, and with the spring of the rubber 

 cups forming them, the combination effectually prevents any possibility 

 of the culprit executing a sudden movement to escape contact with the 

 electrodes. The electrodes are circular, four inches in diameter. Each 

 one is surrounded by a rubber cup with the edges of its slides flattened 

 so as to fit closely the body or head. The electrodes are brass, per- 

 forated plates, covered with sponge, and secured to the large wire which 

 passes through the rubber cups to be connected with the dynamo wires. 

 When the electrodes are in place, and properly arranged, the edges of 

 the cups press against the head and body. Openings are provided so 

 that the saturating fluid may be applied at any moment previous or dur- 

 ing the passage of the current, with a long rubber pipette with large 

 bulb provided for the purpose. The spinal electrode can easily be at- 

 tached to the criminal before he is seated in the chair, and connected 

 with tke dvnamo wires later, if desired. 



In a letter to Gen. Lathrop describing the chair, I stated as my belief 

 that it would accomplish the w^ork for which it was constructed, if suf- 

 Jicient electro-?notive force was used^ and in such a manner as to take 

 away from public executions the horrors which frequently attended 

 them. In my laboratory I had passed a galvanic current through the 

 electrodes when applied to individuals who had allowed me to experi- 

 ment with them and thus demonstrated that the method devised for 

 attachment of electrodes- would offer a minimum of resistance when 

 suitable fluids were used. In these cases a flash of light was noted 

 on the instantaneous make and break of the current. With five volts 

 electro-motive force and a current of five milliamperes a flash would 

 be produced w^ith the most rapid making and breaking of the current, 

 indicating (so far as the senses could appreciate) instantaneous passage 

 of the current through the body and indicating in degree the rapidity 

 of death by this method. By accidental contact iotoi2 volts were 

 passed through a young gentleman in the chair ; he was stunned, 

 almost rendered unconscious, and quite thoroughly frightened. When 

 it is considered that the current as applied passes through all the vital 

 centres of the body, beginning at the cerebrum, the centre of intelli- 

 gence, and taking in the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, heart and 



