DR. H. DEBUS OR THE CHEMICAL THEORY OF GUNPOWDER. 
589 
which corresponds nearly to 75 parts of saltpetre, 10 parts of sulphur, and 15 parts 
of charcoal. 
About these numbers fluctuate the compositions of the service powders of most 
nations. 
Composition of gunpowders. 
Saltpetre. 
Charcoal. 
Sulphur. 
England. 
. . 75 
15 
10 
Sweden . 
. . 75 
15 
10 
Russia 
. . 75 
15 
10 
Prussia . 
. . 74 
16 
10 
Saxony . 
. . 74 
16 
10 
United States . 
. . 76 
14 
10 
Austria . 
75'5 
14'5 
10 
If, therefore, the composition of a gunpowder is required which shall possess nearly 
the greatest energy, and at the same time contain the smallest amount of sulphur 
compatible with this condition, an experience extending over 500 years has selected a 
mixture which contains saltpetre, carbon, and sulphur nearly in the theoretical 
proportions. 
Composition of powders of Waltham Abbey. . 16KhJOg+21‘18C+6'63S 
Theoretical composition. 16KN0 3 + 22Cfl-8S. 
We concluded from KArolyTs experiments that the most inflammable and 
combustible mixture is represented by 
16KN0 3 +13C+5S 
Bunsen and Schischkoff found in their sporting powder 
16KNO s + 13-3C + 6-3S 
The value of E' for the proportions of saltpetre, carbon, and sulphur exhibited in the 
powders of Waltham Abbey is very nearly 16'62 ; for Bunsen and Schischkoff’s 
sporting powder 14'58. Consequently 12'2 per cent, of the energy of the English 
service powder ha.s been sacrificed in order to obtain the greater combustibility of the 
sporting powder. 
According to composition, the service powders of France, Spain, Belgium, and 
Wiirtemberg are intermediate between the two powders just considered. They 
fluctuate about the proportions required by the symbols 
16.KN0 3 +16C+8S 
E 7 for these powders equals 15'6 3, or about 6 per cent, less than for the English; but 
they will, probably, be more inflammable and combustible than the latter. 
