ON DYNAMITE. 259 
and greater execution,—the rock broken more distant from the 
hole,—and, what is most important, it appears they had. not a 
premature explosion or other accident, and not a single blast 
missed fire since the Chinamen commenced filling the cartridges. 
In 1867, Nobel of Hamburgh introduced an article named 
Dynamite, or patent safety-blasting powder. It is a compound 
of nitro-glycerine and a silicate, packed in cartridges; is said to 
be seven times stronger than gunpowder, and requires for its 
explosion the combined effect of both spark and concussion. It 
would seem that in dynamite we have all the economic value of 
nitro-glycerine, without its instability and danger. Like nitro- 
glycerine, it can be fired under water. Slowly it is making its 
way in our West Cornwall Mines. The stories told of the feats 
it has performed in the smashing of stamps’ heads, &c., indicate 
its power, while the murmurs prevalent during a dynamite famine 
—and, owing to the strict legal rules concerning its transit, defi- 
ciencies of supply are not infrequent—show that it is valued. 
I will now refer to the sanitary aspect of the question ; how 
it is likely to bear on the health of our miners, and how, if it 
replace gunpowder, the vital statistics of the next generation may 
be altered. 
From conversation with Mine Surgeons, I am inclined to think 
that accidents are more frequent since its introduction. This was, 
however, to be expected. Some little experience is required in the 
method of employing a new explosive, before agents can with con- 
fidence give the necessary instructions; and, perhaps, accidents fulfil 
_ the functions of a teacher, by inspiring the men with due caution. 
There is a marked difference between a dynamite accident and 
one in which gunpowder has been the explosive. It arises from 
the extraordinary force with which the dynamite acts: if an eye 
be injured, the chances are greatly in favour of the globe having 
been penetrated; if there be a flesh wound, the parts do not 
present the blackened charred mass so frequently seen with gun- 
powder, but the skin is speckled with pieces of the cap, or 
surrounding mineral, which occasionally lodge to the depth of an 
inch, and the edges of the wound are in some cases regular and 
even, as if cut with a bluntish knife. Temporary deafness from 
concussion is not uncommon. 
When we remember that dynamite contains about 75 per 
