The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-01
wHAf Is NIrRo-GLYcERINEs

The terrible catastrophe at Aspinwall, resulting
from the presence Of nitro ycerlne, as well as
the previous explosion in San Francisco attribu-
ted to the same cause, and the explosion at
boarding house in Greenwich street, in New York,
about two months since, also occasoned by this
same dangerous compound, has led to the inquiry
which heads this article. Galignani's Messenger
furnishes the following answer to the question:
Glycerine is the sweet principle of oil, and is
extensively used for purposes of the toilet; but 1t
has now received application of rather an un-
expected nature. In l64z pupil of M. Pei
ouzes, NJ. Sobrero, discovered that glycerine
when treated with nitric acid, was converted into
highly explosive substance, which he called nj
tro-gIyce,ine. 1t is oily, heavier than water, SOL
uble in alcohol and ether, and acts so powerfully
on the nervous system that a single drop placed
on the top of the tongue will cause violent
headache, which will last for several hours.
This liquid seems to have been almost forgot
ten by chemists, and it is only now that M. Ma
BILE, Swedish engineer, has succeeded in APP
plying it to a very important branch of bis art
namely, blasting. From paper addressed by
him to the Academy of Sciences, we learn that
the chief advantage which this substance, COM
posed of one part of gycerine and three parts OF
nitric acid, possesses. is that it requires much
smaller hole or chamber than gunpowder does,
of the former. Hence the miners work, which,
according to the hardness of the rock represents
some five to twenty times the power of the gun
powder used, is SO short that the cost Of blasting
is often reduced to fifty per cent
The process is very easy. Ifthe chamber of
the mine presents fsures, it must be lined with
clay to make it water tight; this done, the nitro
glycerine is poured in, the water after it. which,
being the lighter liquid, remains at the top. A
slow match, with a well charged percussion cap
at one end, is then introduced into the nitro ely
cerine. The mine may then be sprung by light
ing the match; there being no need of tarrping.
On the 7th June last, three experiments were
made with this new compound in the open part
of the tin mines of Atenberg, in Saxony. In
one of these chamber of thirty -four milIemetres
in diamater made perpendicuarly in doo-
mitic rock, sixty feet in length, and at distance
of fourteen feet from its extremity which was
teal. At depth of eight feet vault filled with
clay was found, in consequence of which the bot
tom Of the hole tamped, having depth of
seven feet One litre and half of nitro gycerine
was then poured in; it occupied five feet; match
and a stopper were then applied, as stated and
the mine sprung. The effect was so enormous
as to make assure fifty feet in length, and
another twenty feet.
The three evidences given US within so short a
tlne or the dangerous character or this substance
will, doubtless, lead to the enactment of law
preventing its transportation by water routes,
where an explosion perils the safety Of every one
on board the vessel containing itro-glycerine as
part of its cargo.
Tie New York authorities have ordered every
pound to be moved beyond the limits of the city.
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A REMARKABLE CURE.-A young man want
ed to marry girl out in Wisconsin, but her
rich parents forbade the match. The young
man became sick-very sick-and had terrible
faintins fits. The doctors were called, and said
he would soon ole, and he said be wanted to-
The father of the girl visited the patient, and
agreed with both him and the doctors The
poor fellow said if he could see his Mary Ann
he could die happily. His dying request Ger
taiuly could not be refused. and Mary Ann hav-
ing objections, the minister was sent for, and
the solemn ordinance of marriage was performed
before the most solemn messenger of death
should step in to snatch away the gasping bride
groom from time to the regions of eternity.-
The knot being securely tied, the patient rose
from the bed we'll man.. 1t was great cure,
astonishing both the cruel "parient" and the
doctors, but the bride acted as though she ex-
pected it all the time.