Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1895 — Death From Electricity. [ARTICLE]

Death From Electricity.

Here are some odd opinions concerning the force of the electric current, given by Dr. C. F. Chandler before the Columbian School of Mines: “A very interesting misapprehension which exists in the minds of many people is one concerning the vital dangers which lurk in the pressure of, say, 1,000 volts. The newspapers often tell of a man who has been killed from such a pressure,whereas, in fact, such a pressure alone could not kill a humming bird. I have frequently caught in my hand sparks possessing an electro motive power of 100,000 volts without feeling anything more than a very slight burn. The danger arises only when the volts are re-enforced by a good many ampheres or currents. In such a case the force of the current suddenly decomposes all the fluids in the body. The salt in the blood instantly turns to chlorine gas, and the person who has his veins charged with such a deadly poison cannot be expected to live many seconds.”