ELECTROCUTION IN HORSES. 
417 
1 
or the present. It was decided to keep her up. She was sent 
to the ward of physiology for observation. 
The first subject was then taken up again. Her abdomen 
and legs were wet with water, and after being placed on the 
plates she was exposed to a current of 550 volts. She fell sud¬ 
denly, pitching head forward, but her feet having left the plate 
she was able to get up at once. Two other attempts had the 
same result. 
At the fourth trial, she received 650 volts. Again this time 
the fall was very sudden, and took place in such a manner that 
the animal escaped a long contact with the plates, and was able 
to get up by one jump. 
At a fifth trial, the animal was placed somewhat differently, 
the hind feet resting on the plates. With a current of 550 volts, 
the hocks flexed, the animal dropped on the left side, with the 
croup on the positive plate and the chest on the negative. The 
struggles became very rapid and violent, the muscles became 
tetanic, a general spasm took place, the legs were stiff and 
stretched, respiration stopped for a few moments, then returned 
rapid and costal. A strong odor of burning was followed by 
the apparition of smoke. There was micturation, the labial 
mucous membrane and the conjunctivse became pale, the pit¬ 
uitary still remaining rosy. Death seemed near at hand and 
the current was stopped. The mare still showed her vitality. 
She seemed to be able to overcome the terrible trial she had 
just passed through. The pulse became stronger, very rapid 
(120), respiration quieter (80), but the hind quarters remained 
paralyzed. Vainly did she struggle to get up. After a few 
moments she was dragged over the positive plate again, and 
the current reestablished ; death occurred rapidly. Her cadaver 
was taken to Alfort and the post-mortem made 48 hours after. 
The cadaver was very tympanitic. Serosity was escaping 
from the nostrils, mouth and anus. The visible mucous mem¬ 
branes were pale. There were marks of burns on the left side, 
at the elbow and stifle. 
On opening the animal, there was a violent odor of putre- 
