1890.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 177 



a portion of the city. When in use the box was partially Hllcd with 

 water. Connected with the electric-light wire representing the other 

 pole, was an ordinary dog muzzle supplied with an iron or copper bit, 

 which was inserted into the mouth of the canine. The animal being 

 placed in the box, the switch making the circuit was turned, causing 

 the apparent instantaneous death of the animal. Only in exceptional 

 cases were any movements noted after the current was made. The re- 

 sult obtained by experiments conducted in this manner leaves tlie sub- 

 ject just where public opinion would place it, viz., ••' that electricity will 

 kill quickly." However, to ascertain how quickly and thoroughly re- 

 quires finther demonstration. 



The heart may rightfully be considered the centre of function, and in 

 the execution of criminals by the legalized hanging process, is always 

 examined to ascertain when death ensues. In favorable cases it is known 

 that the heart may beat from eight to ten minutes, and in some cases it 

 has been known to beat from fifteen to thirty minutes before death. 

 For the purpose of ascertaining the eftect of the electric-light current 

 on the action of the heart, the operation of opening the thorax of an 

 animal under forced respiration was made. With the operation satis- 

 factorily performed, the heart and lungs may be observed in action, 

 viz., the heart beating and the lungs contracting and expanding as in 

 life. 



While the operation is not new to physiologists, still I do not believe 

 that the effect upon the movements of the exposed heart, by the passage 

 of an electrical current which might be applied in the execution of crimi- 

 nals has been frequently noted or the operation often, if ever before, 

 performed. That the ordinary electric-light current used in these ex- 

 periments is suflicient to cause instantaneous death of a human being, 

 is inferred from the many accidental deaths produced by such means. 

 To witness the effect produced upon the heart in action is a demonstra- 

 tion which cannot be questioned, and offers a positive answer to what 

 may have been inferential. To those favoring electricity as the proper 

 agent in the execution of criminals, a demonstration of this charac- 

 ter serves to make them more positive and less liable to be influenced 

 by those whose investigations into the subject have been only superfi- 

 cial. Those opposed to it from the stand-point of uncertainty of action, 

 it leaves without a foundation upon which to base their opinion. Prior 

 to these experiments, I held the view that electricity might prove the 

 best agent for executing criminals ; after they were made, I enthusiastic- 

 ally supported it as the only agent which this age had any right to use 

 for this purpose. 



But to refer to the experiments : A fair-sized dog was placed under 

 the influence of chloroform, an incision made in the trachea, in which 

 a tube connecting with foot bellows, and supplied with suitable valve 

 for respiratory purposes was attached. Respirations were then kept 

 up by these artificial means. The chest walls (thorax) were then re- 

 moved so that the heart and lungs were exposed to view ; the dog was 

 then placed in the zinc-lined box, the muzzle put on, the forced respi- 

 rations kept up until just before the current was made. The heart was 

 beating as in life, but the instant the circuit was made it ceased its 

 action and became a mere mass of quivering flesh ; not the least resem- 

 blance to a rhythmical movement was observed after the current was 



