http://www.bassengineering.com/electroc.htm
The more serious electrocution and shock hazards occur above the let go
limits. 99% of the female population have an let go limit above 6 milliamps,
with an average of 10.5 milliamps. 99% of the male population have an let go
limit above 9 milliamps, with an average of 15.5 milliamps. Prolonged
exposure to 60 Hz. currents greater than 18 milliamps, across the chest
causes the diaphragm to contract which prevents breathing and causes the
victim to suffocate.  No data is available for females or children but
suffocation is presumed to occur at a lower current level.

The frequency of the electrical current is as important as magnitude when
evaluating electrocution and electrical shock injuries.    Humans and
animals are most susceptible to frequencies at 50 to 60 hertz. The internal
frequency of the nerve signals controlling the heart is approximately 60
hertz. Ventricular fibrillation occurs when 60 hertz current from the
electric shock interferes with the natural rhythm of the heart. The heart
loses its ability to pump and death quickly follows. Ventricular
fibrillation can occur at current levels as low as 30 milliamps for a two
year old child and 60 milliamps for adults. Most adults will go into
ventricular fibrillation at hand to hand currents below 100 milliamps (0.1
Amp).

Humans are able to withstand 10 times more current at DC and at 1000 hertz
than at 50 or 60 Hz.. Electro-Surgical equipment operating above 100,000
Hertz pass high currents through the body with effect on the heart or
breathing of a patient. Do you think that Murphy's Law had anything to do
with the American power line frequency being set at 60 Hertz and the
frequency for the rest of the world being 50 hertz? All of the current
limits referred to in this article are based on power line frequencies of 50
or 60 hertz.

http://www.vabch.com/stein/history.htm
July 30, 1888 - Brown and his assistant Dr. Fred Peterson of Columbia show
experimental results at the School of Mines at Columbia University by
administering a series of DC shocks to a large Newfoundland mix dog. By
1,000 volts DC, the dog is agonized but not killed. Finally, Brown finishes
the off with a charge of 330 volts AC. On a follow-up demonstration, SPCA
steps in and second dog becomes first creature ever publicly reprieved from
execution by electrocution (although it was later killed at another
demonstration).

Peter van Hoof
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