http://www.babycenter.com/expert/pregnancy/pregcomplications/4754.html
http://www.bartleby.com/107/3.html
Electric Chair
The electric chair was invented by a dentist, Alfred Southwick from
Buffalo. But the modern implement was designed and tested by Harold
Brown with the active support of Thomas Edison. Carlos McDonald and A.
P. Rockwell contributed to the engineering of the chair. But the
patent is registered to one, Edwin Davis, who used it to kill more
than 300 prisoners.
Due to the body's high resistance, an alternating current of 2000-2400
volts is applied to electrocute the condemned. Only two electrodes,
moistened with a salt solution, are attached to the scalp and to the
calf of one leg. Death occurs two to five whole minutes after the jolt
has been administered - but no one knows why or how. The electrical
current may stop the heart before the victims are practically burnt or
cooked to death. There is no proof either way. Willie Francis, who
survived his first execution, described it thus:
"My mouth tasted like cold peanut butter. I felt a burning in my head
and my left leg, and I jumped against the straps.
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