lightning strikes and GR

[Paul Mackin]

As I understand it the problem with interviewing survivers of lightning
strikes is that they don't remember the strike itself since even with
survivors a tiny amount of current has gone through the brain  and this is
enough usually to wipe out short term memory. Same with patients who've
undergone electric shock therapy. They can tell you how they feel now but
never how then felt (exactly) then. In fact they frequently ask in the
recovery room when they are going to have their jolt and are relieved to
find out it's already happened.  Also heard somewhere that this observation
of failure to remember was responsible for the adoption of the electric
chair as a less "cruel and unusual" means of execution. Not totally  logical
of course. Not remembering  is not the same as not feeling.
Anyway.

            P.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Samuel Moyer" <smoyer at satx.rr.com>
To: "Pynchon-L" <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2001 12:55 AM
Subject: lightning strikes and GR


> I caught the end of a weather channel special on lightning.  They were
> talking to survivors of lightning strikes.  See GR pp 663 and after...
> Thanatz and the Polish Undertaker.  Here is a link to some further info:
>
> http://www.weather.com/newscenter/atmospheres/feature/011701feature.html
>
> Many people believe the cliched notion that the odds against being struck
by
> lightning are exceedingly high, but lightning actually kills more
Americans
> in an average year than tornadoes or hurricanes, said Forbes.
>
> Approximately 20 percent of lightning victims are struck dead immediately,
> according to Dr. Elisabeth Gourbiére of the Electricité de France, Service
> des Etudes Médicales. The remaining 80 percent typically suffer varying
> degrees of heart, brain, skin, auditory and ocular injuries. Many people
> survive, and more would if CPR was applied immediately.
>
> S
>
>