IUBio

Question About Electric Shock

Michael Neish mike at nal.go.jp
Thu Jan 23 22:21:21 EST 1997


Hello,

I was recently thinking about an accident I had when I was about 12 years
old, when I received a very strong shock from, of all things, an electric
lighter. It happened when I was poking the inside of the lighter with a
lead pencil, inadvertently placed my thumb over the top of the pencil and
pressed the button! Stupid, I know. The result, however, was that I was
thrown into violent convulsions for several seconds, and when I finally
came round I was lying back on the sofa (where I had been sitting at the
time). I don't know how much time had passed, but it wasn't long. I
suffered a tremendous headache afterwards, but still managed to go to
school about a quarter of an hour later, without breathing a word of it to
my parents.

First of all I would like to know whether anyone who reads this message
has had a similar experience to mine. I would also appreciate any
explanation as to how such a small lighter could bring about such a
violent reaction. Also, could anyone tell me whether there are exists the
possiblility of any neurological damage from this.

Replies by E-mail, please, since I don't think this is of general interest!

Thanks,

Mike.



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