Remarkable case of the effect of lightning on the human body : with general observations on the nature and phenomena of lightning. Adapted for general readers / by John Davies.

  • Davies, John, 1796-1872.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarkable case of the effect of lightning on the human body : with general observations on the nature and phenomena of lightning. Adapted for general readers / by John Davies. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    5/24
    PREFACE. The leading points of the Case whose history and treatment are described in the following pages have been already pub- lished in the Lancet, a Medical Journal whose circulation is very extensive amongst the Members of the Profession; but having been solicited to re-publish it in a separate form, the Author feels happy to comply with the request. The case is remarkable in many points of view, but more particularly so in being one of the most severe of the kind on record where the loss of life was not a consequence of the accident. It is probable that if the electric fluid had been a single grade more intense, death must have been the inevitable and immediate consequence. The effect of the lightning on the man’s mind was also very singular. Long after the external wounds had healed, the mind still continued in a puerile state, like that of a child just beginning to take notice of external objects. The memory seemed to waver in doubt respecting things which had long been most familiar to the patient; but as the general health and I strength continued to improve, the mental powers also made I some progress towards recovery, and were ultimately restored to ^ their former condition. Persons who are acquainted with external injuries like those attending the present case, will readily perceive that the Sur-