AN ELECTROCUTION DEATH OF AN INFANT WHO HAD RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC-SHOCK FROM AN UNCOVERED OVAL SHAPED LAMP SWITCH IN HIS MOUTH WHILE IN A HOSPITAL

A male infant aged one year and nine months was found dead on a bed af ter admission to hospital with suspected pneumonia. The patient appare ntly put an uncovered oval shaped lamp switch (pendant switch) into hi s mouth and died of electric shock after contacting the exposed wires of the switch (100 V, 60 Hz alternating current). There were extensive first- to fourth-degree bums on the inner surface of the both lips. B ecause the histological findings were consistent with electric bums an d the burns showed vital reactions, electric shock was judged to be th e cause of death. The pendant switch is normally a very convenient pie ce of bedside equipment for inpatients. However, when the patient is a n infant who naturally puts all the objects into the mouth, such a swi tch should be placed out of reach, and it should be certain that the c ap is not loose.