2^66 



NITRO-GLYCERINE. 



"In five cases, congealed nitro-glycerine was melted purposely 

 over a fire. 



" In three cases, a red hot poker has been inserted into the oil in 

 order to melt it. 



" In one case, a man kept a cartridge, with a percussion cap and 

 fuse afiixed and lighted, in his hand till it blew off." 



A case very similar to the last was reported in the newspapers as 

 having occurred at St. John's, New Brunswick, during the recent 

 eclipse of the moon. A gentleman stood at the window of a hotel, 

 holding in his hand a dynamite cartridge, which he intended to fire 

 as a signal when the eclipse commenced. The fuse burnt out sooner 

 than he expected, his arm was blown to pieces, and two other gentle- 

 men who were in the room at the time were severely injured. 



" In one case, two leaky canisters, full of nitro-glycerine, were 

 soldered under continual reports produced by the heating of drops 

 leaking out, but no accident ensued. 



" In one case, a man took to greasing the weeels of his waggon 

 with nitro-glycerine, not knowing what it was, and it went all right 

 until it struck hard against something, and the wheels went to pieces. 



" In one case it was burnt in a lamp, as an improvement on 

 petroleum." 



At Newcastle, a number of cans of nitro-glycerine were broken 

 open by blows of a spade, and then flung into a hole. A melancholy 

 explosion was the result, by which several persons lost their lives. 



There is no doubt that nitro-glycerine is a dangerous substance, 

 even in the form of dynamite. But so is gunpowder, and so is 

 steam ; and this fact; though it should lead to the greatest care being 

 taken in the use of the exj)losive, is of itself no reason for abandoning 

 it, for power and danger are inseparable. 



