Article: electric shock


The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia
10-01-1996
electric shock, a damaged physical state caused by electric current passing through the body. It usually occurs from accidental contact with exposed parts of electric circuits in home appliances and power supplies. It may also result from lightning or contact with high-voltage wires. About 1,000 persons in the United States die from electric shock each year. The damage electricity does in passing through the body depends on the intensity of the electric current. Alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), and mixed current cause different kinds and degrees of damage in passing through body tissues. High-frequency current (measured in Hz, or ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!