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MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE 
relative quantities of some of the gases from powder and gun cotton are 
different, the effect of those gases leads to the same practical result, viz. that 
after blowing up a mine, one cannot without danger approach the spot of the 
explosion before renewing the air by ventilation. 
In this respect we may say that the gases of gun cotton will be more 
quickly removed by ventilation than those of gunpowder, because the first- 
named contain a greater quantity of gases easily dissipated; since 100 
pounds of gunpowder contains 68 pounds of fixed solid matter, which alone 
suffices to make respiration almost impossible. 
It is not probable that an explosive compound will be found which will 
produce any other but irrespirable gases. 
It is one and the same in practice, whether a cellar contains 40 per cent, 
of carbonic acid and 10 per cent, carbonic oxide, or 80 per cent, carbonic 
oxide and 20 per cent, carbonic acid, inasmuch as no one could, without 
danger of suffocation, enter such a cellar. 
Both the gases of gun cotton and of gunpowder, according to Karolyi, 
may be ignited by a match. 
Recapitulation and Conclusions . 
18. We believe we have in the preceding furnished replies to your 
Excellency to all the important questions which chemists may be called upon 
to decide prior to determining whether or not General Lenk's gun cotton 
can be used as an explosive material for warfare, and we will conclude our 
Beport with the following general remarks :— 
General Baron von Lenkas gun cotton is almost wholly made up of tri- 
nitro cellulose; it is manufactured in the Imperial Factory at Hirtenberg 
in such manner that one invariable product results. 
Lenk's gun cotton remains unaltered under circumstances that would 
render gunpowder totally useless. It is not subject to any notable 
alteration, nor is it prone to spontaneous combustion. Its temperature of 
ignition is somewhere betweeen 130° and 160° C., sufficiently high to 
remove apprehension. Its vis viva, or force brisante, can be moderated 
without difficulty if required, or else special cannon and rifle barrels may 
be adapted to it. 
[Of these statements, the second and fourth require, for their full substantiation, further searching 
experimental investigation]. 
The dangers in regard to mining warfare are comparatively and 
qualitatively the same as with the use of gunpowder,—the gases of both 
being irrespirable. 
The manufacture of gun cotton at Hirtenberg is provisional, and General 
Baron W. von Lenk will know best how to devise improved mechanical 
apparatus when the erection of a proper factory shall be resolved upon. 
According to our experience up to the present time, we recognize in the 
gun cotton from Hirtenberg an improved explosive compound having many 
and great advantages, several of which gunpowder from its very nature 
can never possess . 
