Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A case of accidental electrocution

A clinical pathological report

  • Diagnosis
  • Published:
Psychiatric Quarterly Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A case of fatal electrical accident is presented. Two clinical features are particularly emphasized: the initial difficulty in distinguishing an organic from a psychogenic stupor; and the rare incidence of delayed death.

Various theories of mechanisms of death due to electric current are discussed with review of reported central nervous system damage.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Farrell, F. D., and Starr, A.: Delayed neurological sequellae of electrical injuries. Neurology, 8: 601–606, June 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jellinek, S.: Elektrische Verletzungen, Klinik und Histopathologie. Barth. Leipzig. 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Polson, C. J.: The essentials of forensic medicine, pp. 188–202. Charles C. Thomas. Springfield, Ill. 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gleister, J., and Rentoul, E.: Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 12th ed., p. 191. Livingstone. Edinburgh & London. 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tappeo, P.: Another case of suicide with prolonged free interval. Min. Medicolog., 89: 25–27, Jan. 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Boemke, F., and Piroth, M.: Zur Pathologie des elektrischen Stromtodes. Frankfurter Z.f. Path., 70: 1–35, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Garrel, S.: Electroclinical sequellae of accidental electrocution. Rev. Neurol., 118: 1189, June 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gaszner, P.: Histopathological changes of the nervous system following electric injury. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr., 212: 309, 1969.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Haase, E., and Luhan, J.: Delayed and prolonged coma after accidental exposure to high-voltage electric current. Arch. Neurol. Psych., 1: 195–202, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Langworthy, O. R.: Neurological abnormalities produced by electricity. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 84: 13, 1936.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Moore, R. A.: A Textbook of Pathology, 2nd ed., pp. 497–498. Saunders. Philadelphia & London. 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Koeppen, S.: Eichler, R.; Follz, G.; Hoppe, D.; Hosang, W.; Kostka, F., and Osypka, D.: Der elektrische Unfall. Elektromedizin, Schile & Schoen, Berlin. 6: 215–251, 1961; 7: 35–59, 1962; 7: 90–106, Nr. 2, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kraepelin, E.: Lectures in Clinical Psychiatry, pp. 17, 30–38, William & Wood. New York. 1906.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bleuler, E.: Lehrbuch der Psychiatrie, 4. Auflage, pp, 98, 108, 122, 148, 365. Julius Springer, Berlin 1923.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cameron, N.: Personality Development and Psychopathology. A Dynamic Approach, pp. 354–355. Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kolb, C. L.: Noyes' Modern Clinical Psychiatry, pp. 110, 378. Saunders. Philadelphia & London. 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Plum, F., and Posner, J. L.: Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma. Contemporary Neurology Series, F. A. Davis. Philadelphia. 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Segarra, J. M.: Cerebral vascular disease and behavior. Arch. Neurol., 22: 408–419, May 1970.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Alpers, B. J., and Mancall, E. L.: Clinical Neurology, 6th ed., pp. 237–239. F. A. Davis. Philadelphia. 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ferris, L. P.; King, B. G.; Spence, P. W., and Williams, H. B.: Elect. Engineer, 55: 498, 1936.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Panse, F.: Die Neurologie des elektrischen Unfalls und des Blitzschlages. G. Thieme, Stuttgart, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Minckler, J.: Pathology of the nervous system. McGraw-Hill. New York. 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kratter, J.: Vschr. Gerich. Med., 31: 217, 1906.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hamperl, H.: Lehrbuch der allgemeinen Pathologie und der pathologischen Anatomie, 27. Auflage, pp. 16–17 Springer Verlag, Berlin & Heidelberg. 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Meritt, H. H.: A Textbook of Neurology, p. 373. Lee & Fabiger. Baltimore. 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Beeson, P. B., and McDermott, W.: Cecil-Loeb Textbook of Medicine, 12th ed., pp. 1722–1723. W. B. Saunders. Philadelphia & London. 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hyslop, G. H.: The effects of the electric shock on the nervous system. In: Injuries of the Brain and Spinal Cord and its Coverings, Samuel Bock, ed. William & Wilkins. Baltimore.

  28. Hassin, G. B.: Changes in the brain in accidental electrocution. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 86: 668, 1937.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Scheinker, M.: Vasoparalysis of the central nervous system—A characteristic vascular syndrome. Arch. Neurol. Psych., 52: 45–56, July, 1944.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State University Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave., 11203, Brooklyn, N. Y.

    Jean-Pierre Lindenmayer M.D. (Assistant Instructor in Psychiatry) &  Else Pappenheim M.D. (Clinical Professor of Psychiatry)

Authors
  1. Jean-Pierre Lindenmayer M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Else Pappenheim M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lindenmayer, JP., Pappenheim, E. A case of accidental electrocution. Psych Quar 47, 218–227 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01562228

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01562228

Keywords

Search

Navigation