from Fire- damp in Mines. 1 1 



so much the depth of the burn as the extent of it, which 

 proves fatal : a covering of thin flannel would be found 

 almost invariably to conline the injury to the face and ex- 

 tremities. Some miners cannot aflbrd to do this, and others 

 u'ill not, considering clothing as an incumbrance; but 

 where men's lives and the interest of the proprietors 

 are so much at stake, it ought to become a matter of com- 

 pulsion. 



Should it so happen, that through some unforeseen ac- 

 cident an explosion takes place, the persons in immediate 

 danger ought to throw themselves down, covering them- 

 selves as well as the spur of the occasion will permit, and 

 then with all speed make their nearest way to that part of 

 the mine from whence the air proceeds, taking care to 

 creep as low as possible : by this means, suffocation from 

 the azote, which remains after combustion, will be avoid- 

 ed. Should any one be so unfortunate as to fall thus for 

 want of respirable air, or by the choke-damp, every exer- 

 tion ought to be made to cause the air to circulate through 

 the place, so as to enable the sufferer to be brought out ; 

 and when this is effected, resuscitating means should be 

 immediately employed. Instances often occur, of men 

 being stifled by the azotic gas, who were little or none the 

 worse from the effects of the explosion. 



In every instance, where a miner penetrates any new or 

 neglected cavity whatever, the precautions before men- 

 tioned ought to be strictly observed, whether the mine be 

 much subject to Jire-damp or not. 



The practice of laying scaffolds over or in a shaft, in. 

 ©rder to do some necessary repairs, without being cautious 

 to ventilate the underside, should be carefully avoided ; ter- 

 rible explosions have been known to follow this negligent 

 practice. 



These and other similar remarks, which will occur to 

 every one conversant with mining business, if properly 

 modified, would form a code of rules, with which every 

 miner should be acquainted. 



December 19, 1809. 



*** We shall at all times be glad to recei^fe papers of the 

 above description from practical men, on the subject of their 

 pursuits, and shall think little of our trouble m rounding a 

 period, or correcting grammatical inaccuracies, for such as 

 may chance to need this assistance, owing to the devotion 

 of their time to other important objects,— Editor. 



II. On 



