34 
NOXIOUS FUMES. 
With regard to the fumes arising from the combustion of dynamite and 
lithofracteur, several suggestions have, from time to time, been made. One of these 
was by the Explosive Board in 1882, which recommended the use of sulphate of 
iron spray. Mr. J. Cosmo Newbery, the analyst to this Department, has had a kind 
of syringe manufactured for the purpose, and he is now engaged in experiments to 
test its value, the result of which will shortly be published. A practical miner has 
suggested that, instead of employing a syringe after the explosion, some plan might 
be adopted by which the sulphate of iron might be mixed with the charge, but Mr. 
Newbery states that the sulphate of iron must not come into contact with the 
dynamite, otherwise the charge would not go off. He considers, however, that the 
desired effect might he produced by placing a wad of paper or good clay over the 
charge, and then tamping the whole with water charged with the sulphate of iron. 
Another suggestion is that of scattering powdered lime in the mines where nitro¬ 
glycerine explosives are used. In reference to this, Mr. Newbery states that as miners 
often suffer from the effects of dynamite fumes when they are moving mullock which 
has been blown down bv dynamite, the powder of air-slaked lime, used as tamping, 
would probably have a beneficial effect. He has made, at his laboratory, some experi¬ 
ments of tliis kind with fairly successful results, but he considers that it would be 
necessary to make further trials in a mine to see whether the lime dust [would settle, 
as, if it did not, it might be as great a nuisance as the dynamite fumes. Fresh quick¬ 
lime should not, he considers, be tried as tamping in any case, as the heat generated 
by any mixture might cause the charge to explode. 
Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, remarks, on the fumes arising from its com¬ 
bustion, as follows:— 
The frequent, occurrence of bad fumes in mines only proves that dynamite is injudiciously used. 
The general mistake consists in not securing carefully the detonation cap to the fuse, and especially the 
luse to the cartridge. In charging, the miner, under such circumstances, easily draws fuse and cap out of 
the cartridge, leaving them separated, so that the cap cannot possibly exercise its detonating efTect. What 
then takes place is this : part of the dynamite burns, emitting hyponitric fumes, and part generally explodes 
under the influence ot accumulating heat and pressure. Thus the charge goes oflj but with a far inferior 
effect as compared to that of a proper detonation and with the emission of a great quantity of red fumes of 
hyponitric ncids. 
With a view of ascertaining the opinions of the miners in the Sandhurst dis¬ 
trict respecting the effects resulting from the use of lithofracteur, powder, compressed 
air, &c., the committee of the local branch of the Amalgamated Miners’ Association of 
Victoria issued, in November last, a circular, of which the following is a copy:— 
Bendigo branch, No. 1, of the Amalgamated Miners’Association of Victoria. Dear Sir,—The com¬ 
mittee are desirous of getting the result of the experience of the miners, regarding the use of lithofracteur, 
dynamite, and powder in mines. And the effects of inhaling exhausted compressed air, also the general 
state of ventilation. The committee hope every miner will answer the questions to the best ofliis ability. 
All names will be kept strictly private. The information is required by the A.M.A. to lay before the 
Government. Will you kindly fill tip and return them to me through your steward or otherwise, on or 
before Saturday, the 13th December, 1884. — I am, sir, yours obediently, P. Phillips, secretary. Questions: 
1. Are you of the opinion that nitre-glycerine compounds should bo used in mines? 2. If you think it 
should, would you use it in ail places or only in wet ground ? 3. Are you in favour of a penal clause being 
inserted in the Mines Inspection Bill, forbidding the use of these explosives in dry ground ? 4. Do you 
consider the fumes of these explosives injurious to the miner’s health? 5. What sensation do you experience 
after inhaling the fumes of nitro-glycerine compounds ? 6. Are you in favour of entirely prohibiting the use 
of these explosives in mines ? 7. Do you think powder could be generally used in place of nitro-glycerine 
compounds ? 8. Which of the two do you personally prefer using? 9. What is the general state of venti¬ 
lation in your mine? 10. If had, what would you suggest as a remedy ? 11. IIow many places are there 
in your mine badly ventilated ? 12. Do you consider the exhausted compressed air injurious to the system ? 
13. Have you lost any wages through bogus companies being floated ? 
To this circular the committee received 842 answers, an analysis of which is as 
follows : — 
376 were in favour of confining glycerine operations strictly to wet ground ; 252 wore in favour of 
total prohibition, and 13 for non-prohibition ; 640 were in favour of a penal clause prohibiting its use in 
dry ground, whilst 60 opposed the penal clause idea; 732 considered the fumes injurious, and 4 did not; 
648 thought powder could be generally used, 36 were opposed to that idea; 704 miners were in favour of 
using powder, and 14 in favour of lithofracteur; 430 miners condemned compressed air as injurious, and 
08 did not think so. From the answers the committee considered there was an overwhelming expression 
of opinion in favour of powder as against lithofracteur. 
