http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_264.html
Seems this is an old question, but it was on the front page today, and the second part of the question rang a bell with me.
“Self shocking” has been discussed at lenght here, maybe it is time for the master or his staff to look deeper into this?
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=154561&highlight=electric+shock+body