128 . [April 6, 
electro-motive force changes gradually from a maximum to a minimum 
in both directions. 
Death has resulted from the incautious handling or accidental contact 
both. with the direct and with the alternating current. 
In the case of the direct current, death results sometimes from shock, 
but generally, it would appear, from an electrolytic effect on the blood or 
other tissues of the body. The gaseous products arising from the decom- 
position possibly may, in some cases, be carried by the blood to the heart 
and thus stop its action, or, as probably occurs in most cases, death may 
result from electrolytic changes produced in the blood itself, or in other 
tissues. 
Death by the alternating current probably results from shock only. 
Resuscitation in cases of apparent death are more frequent with the alter- 
nating current than with the direct, most probably from the absence of 
actual electrolytic decomposition of the tissues. 
Considerable surprise has often been manifested because certain cur- 
rents, that, in some instances, have been handled with impunity, in other 
cases have caused death. A current of a certain number of ampéres, and of 
a certain difference of potential between the points touched, caused death 
in one case, while in another case with the same current strength in the 
line, two or three times the difference of potential between the points 
touched, was received with impunity. 
Making due allowance for differences in vitality, or in the condition of 
the heart-power of the subject, I think the following explanation will 
throw light on many of these cases. I offer it, however, mainly, though 
not entirely, from a theoretical standpoint. 
The explanation would appear to be found in the portions of the body 
at which the current enters and passes out, which would of course neces- 
sarily be influenced by the position of the person receiving the discharge. 
Nearly all fatal or severe shocks occur from the lines being accidentally 
grounded at some point. The person then either deliberately touches, or 
is accidentally brought into contact with the line at some other point. 
Under these conditions, the electricity either passes into or out of the body 
at the feet. The greater or less probability of serious results will depend 
on the parts of the body through which the current passes. When any 
part of the body is placed in the path of an electric discharge, more of 
the discharge will pass through the better conductors, which perhaps will, 
generally, be the great nerve trunks and the muscles. Reference must, 
therefore, be had to the position of such nerve centres, as well as to the 
heart, the lungs and the viscera and other vital organs. The following 
contacts are among the commonest. 
(1) At the head. This contact is apt to be among the most dangerous, 
as the discharge in all probability takes place through some of the vital 
organs, such as the brain, the upper part of the spinal cord, or through 
some of the organs in the abdominal cavity, or their principal nerves. 
(2) At the shoulders, This is probably somewhat less dangerous than 
