Cure of Asthma by a Stroke of Lightning, 329 



Art. XIV. — Cure of Asthma by a Stroke of Lightning. 

 {Communicated by the Rev. Ralph Emerson.) 



Korfolk, Nov. 25, 1822. 

 To the Editor. 



Dear Sir, 



I know not whether electricity has ever been tried for 

 the relief of persons afflicted with Asthma. If not, perhaps 

 the following circumstances may suggest the propriety of 

 making the experiment. 



One year ago last August, Mr. Martin Rockwell of Cole- 

 brook, Conn, was severely affected by a shock of light- 

 ning, which struck his buildings within about ten feet of 

 him. He was standing at the time in a leaning position, 

 looking out at a window, bearing most of his weight on his 

 left foot, and supporting himself by his right arm, with his 

 hand on a moist platform connected with a sink, and these 

 together forming a connection with the part of the building 

 where the charge fell. Without his either seeing the flash 

 or hearing the noise, his right arm and left leg were instantly 

 paralyzed, and sense and reason were for a few moments sus- 

 pended. On recovery, his first thought was that his arm 

 was gone, and he put up his left hand to feel if it were yet on 

 him. He did not recover the use of his arm or leg for an 

 hour; and they continued sensibly affected for some days. 

 No other part of his body was particularly affected, except 

 the chest. He felt a strong sensation at the lungs, and they 

 continued sore for a number of days. I state these circum- 

 stances, as they evince that a heavy charge of electricity 

 passed through the vitals. 



Mr. R. is now fifty years of age, and from his youth had 

 been so subject to the asthma as to be often unable to rest 

 in bed for a number of months toj2;ether, especiallj' in au- 

 tumn. Since this event, however, he has been entirely 

 free from it, except in one or two instances he has felt a 

 very slight degree of it, after great fatigue, and under the 

 pressure of a severe cold. He has now passed the second 

 autumn in health since this kind preservation of life and re- 

 moval of disease. 



Vol. VI.— No. 2. 42 



