Chapter 15 Legmed

CHAPTER 15
PHYSICAL INJURIES OR DEATH BY LIGHTNING AND ELECTRICITY
DEFINE | TERMS
· Lightning- is an occurrence electrical charge in the atmosphere. Its place of and intensity are
unpredictable. (P. 413)
· Sledge Hammerblow- this is the effect when a compressed air pushed before the current with
superheated atmosphere may produce a backward wave. This produce concussion, shock, or
unconsciousness to the victim. (P. 413)
KNOW
· Elements of lightning that produces injury (p. 413)
1. Direct effect from the electrical charge: The electrical charge of lightning may pass to the body
producing electrocution. The human body especially its nerves, is a good conductor of electric current.
2. Surface "flash" burns from the discharge: Some of the electrical energy in a lightning is transformed
to heat energy. The superheated air may cause burning of the skin of the victim. The flash burn may
produce arborescent marking but are by no means typical.
3. Mechanical effect: The expansion of the air on account of the superheated atmosphere may bring
about mechanical injury. It may result to laceration of the body surface, severe tearing of the clothings and
displacement of parts of the body.
4. Compression effect: The compressed air pushed before the current with superheated atmosphere may
produce a backward wave. This causes the "sledge hammerblow" on the body of the victim, thereby
producing concussion, shock, or unconsciousness to the victim.
· Points to be considered in making a diagnosis of death due to lightning (p. 414)
1. History of a thunderstorm that took place in the locality.
2. Evidences of the effects of lightning are found in the vicinity, like damages to houses, trees, and other
objects; death of other person and animals nearby.
3. Metallic articles are fused and magnetized.
4. Fusion of glass materials on account of severe heat.
5. Absence of wound and other injuries indicating suicidal or homicidal death.
6. Skin often shows arborescent markings due to superficial erythema which disappear in a day or two if
the person lives.
7. Burns may be present, but may be limited to the part under the pieces of metals such as watch, knife or
bunch of keys. The burns are superficial or may be very deep.
· Death or physical injuries from electricity (p. 416)
The main cause of death in electricity is shock. Ordinary domestic line is from 100 to 250 volts and it is
sufficient to produce death. The effect of 300 volts and above may be similar to lightning stroke. Voltage is
not only the factor causing the injury. As a matter of fact, amperage or intensity of the electrical current is
the principal factor.
The damage to the body by an electrical discharge depends upon several factors which may increase or
decrease the electrical conductivity of the body. The presence of moist skin, wet floor, barefoot and
proximity of metals, increase the conductivity of the body to electricity. Dryness of the skin, presence of
rubber boots or shoes, dryness of the floor and better insulation of the metallic conductor increase the
resistance. An increase in the conductivity of the body will promote more injury.
· Mechanism of death in Electrical Shock (p. 417)

1. Ventricular fibrillation which may lead to the rupture of some of the muscle fibers and focal hemorrhages
in low voltage.
2. Respiratory failure due to bulbar paralysis in high voltage.
3. Mechanical asphyxia due to violent and prolonged convulsion.
· Treatment or management when electrocuted (p. 419)
1. Remove the victim from live wire installations. Close the switch and remove the victim and in which case,
care must be exercised by the rescuer.
2. Artificial respiraton which must continue for about an hour until positive proof of death is present.
3. Treatment of shock or coma. As soon as spontaneous respiration is established, raise the temperature of
the patient by the application of hot water in bottles and blankets. Cerebral edema may be treated by
lumbar puncture. Stimulant may be given to improve the health .
Treatment: (p. 415)

1. Artificial respiration.
2. Air passage must be kept free.
3. Lumbar puncture to release the tension in the cerebrospinal fluid.
4. Rectal hypnotic to combat delirium.
5. Treatment to combat shock.
6. Treatment to build resistance of the victim.
· Laws involved in:

o Death Penalty by Electrocution
DIFFERENTIATE
· Alternate Current | Direct Current (based ha interner)
Direct current (DC) is the flow of electric charge in only one direction. It is the steady state of a constant-
voltage circuit.
Alternating current (AC) is the flow of electric charge that periodically reverses direction.
EXPLAIN | DISCUSS
· Effects of lightning in the human body (p. 414)
Death is usually the immediate effect due to the involvement of the central nervous system. The shock is
produced by the instantaneous anemia of the brain brought about by the spasmodic contraction of the
cerebral vessels. The lightning may cause immediate loss of consciousness and because of the intense
disturbance of the air, the clothings may be removed from the body or severely torn. Occasionally, a person
may recover from the effect of the lightning stroke but in most cases suffer from certain degree of
neurological disturbances.
ENUMERATE
· Classes of burns due to lightning (p. 414)
1. Surface burns — These are superficial burns usually seen under metallic objects worn or carried by the
victim.
2. Linear burns — These are found where areas of the skin offer less resistance, notably in the moist
creases and folds of the skin and may vary in length from one to twelve inches.
3. Arborescent or filigree burns — These are radiating burns from a point, similar to electrocution.
· Factors which Influence the Effect of Electrical Shock (p. 416- 417)
1. Personal idiosyncracy — Individual personality, physical condition, and the existence of mental or
bodily distress at the time, influence the effect of a shock.
2. Disease — A person suffering from cardiac disease is predisposed to death from electrical shock.
3. Anticipation of a shock — When a person is aware of the possibility of a shock, the victim can
withstand one which might otherwise be dangerous.
4. Sleep — Sleep increases the resistance to an electrical current.
5. Electrical voltage or tension — Most fatalities are followed by a shock from a current at a tension of
220 — 250 volts, although 50 volts which are used for therapeutic purpose also show fatality.
6. Amperage or intensity of electric current — This is the principal factor. This is determined by dividing
the voltage with the resistance of the conductor. Amperage of 70-80 in alternating current or 250 in direct
current is dangerous to man.
7. Density of the current.
8. Resistance of the body — Factors that will reduce the resistance of the body to electrical flow will
promote more injury.
9. Nature of the current — It is claimed that the alternating current is more dangerous than direct current.
10. Earthing— The development of shock is enhanced, if the victim is grounded or earthed. Earthing will
promote continuous flow of electric current.
11. Duration of contact — Low tension may kill when contact is maintained for several minutes. A shorter
duration of contact is enough for high tension to produce death.
12. Kind of electrodes — Some electrodes conduct a free flow of electric current while others do not.
13. Point of entry — Contact of the left side of the body is claimed to be more dangerous than that of the
right side.

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CHAPTER 15

PHYSICAL INJURIES OR DEATH BY LIGHTNING AND ELECTRICITY

· Points to be considered in making a diagnosis of death due to lightning (p. 414)

1. History of a thunderstorm that took place in the locality.

3. Metallic articles are fused and magnetized.

4. Fusion of glass materials on account of severe heat.

5. Absence of wound and other injuries indicating suicidal or homicidal death.

· Death or physical injuries from electricity (p. 416)

· Mechanism of death in Electrical Shock (p. 417)

2. Respiratory failure due to bulbar paralysis in high voltage.

3. Mechanical asphyxia due to violent and prolonged convulsion.

· Treatment or management when electrocuted (p. 419)

Treatment: (p. 415)

· Laws involved in:

4. Sleep — Sleep increases the resistance to an electrical current.

7. Density of the current.

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