Mj Account of an Explosion 
Turpentine Bath . 
Into the second boiler is to be put as much oil of tur- 
pentine, as will cover the matches to the depth of about 
an inch ; and this is to be heated gently, till it begins to 
boil. But the moment it grows white and rises, the 
boiler must be covered, and quickly lifted off the sand 
bath, lest the oil should take fire. This boiling should 
be repeated two or three times, which will take about 
half an hour : the bath then is to be left to cool ; the 
matches are to be taken out and wiped ; and lastly they 
are to be dried in the stove, when they will be ready for 
use. 
This paper was approved by the Institute, at its meet- 
ing on the 5th of May, on the report of Messrs. Carnot, 
Deyeux, and Gruyton de Morveau. 
No. 6. 
[In the accounts of the numerous fires which occur in the 
United States, it is very common to ascribe them to 
the nefarious proceedings of some unknown incendia- 
ry. Although this may often be the case, yet it is in- 
cumbent upon us, before stigmatizing our countrymen 
with such diabolical proceedings, to ascertain, if in 
many instances, domestic carelessness, &c. is not the 
source. The following papers will tend to prove, that 
fires may spontaneously originate from causes little 
suspected — and may possibly operate in promoting 
due attention to prevent many fatal accidents of this 
description.*' Ed.] 
* Since I put this paper into the hands of the printer, I have seen in the last 
number of the Medical Repository, a paper of Dr. Seybert upon this very inte- 
resting subject of spontaneous combustion. It is my intention to bring together 
in this and the following numbers, all the facts which have been noticed respect- 
ing it. Their importance demands that they should be concentrated into a 
point. Ed. 
