Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-06-22
Human Electric Batteries,

1t has been known for some time that
the human body becomes much charged
with electricity in the high attitudes and
exceedingly dry atmosphere of the high
plateau between the Sierra Nevada and
Rocky Mountains; but it has heretofore
been unknown that such accumulated
electricity is cause of great danger to
persons handling cxploders. Two very
serious and sad accidents have happened
within few months at the mouth of the
Sutro tunnel, both through the sudden
and apparently unaccountable discharge
of number of exploders in the ex-
ploderhouse. In the first case Henry l..
Foreman, formerly connected with the
Signal-Service Bureau at Washington, a
gentleman of scholarly attainments, a
good mathematician and astronomer, was
engaged in examining some of these ex-
ploders when two hundred went off,
completely destroying his eyesight and
otherwise seriously injuriDg him. These
exploders are large copper gun.caps, an
inch and sixteenth in length and three
sixteenths of an inch in diameter, and
most kinds are charged with illuminate
of mercury. Two insulated gutta-percha-
covered wires connect with each cap,
through which the electric spark is sent
(after they are placed in cartridges of
the different combinations of nitro
glycerine), which sets off the cap, and
the concussion caused thereby explOdes
the powder The second accident re-
ferred to happened but few weeks ago
in the same place, and probably in the
same manner, by which Thomas Coombe
lost his hand and part of his arm. He
was engaged in forming ten exploders
into a coil round his hand when sud
denly they went off, shattering that men,
Der in so fearful manner that it had
to be amputated.
These sad occurrences led Mr.. Sutro
to at once institute some careful expert
ments, for he was strongly impressed
with the belief that it was bodily electric
ity, and not conclusion, which had caused
these explosions. Electric exploders
made by different parties were taken,
wooden box, which was again placed
in another box in Mr.. Sutro's parlor. This
room is covered with heavy Brussels
carpet, walking over which causes the
human body to be speedily charged with
electricity. Mr.. Hancock, the chief
blaster, assisted in the experiments, and
held the wires while Mr.. Sutro walked
around the room two or three times, with
slippers, sliding his feet gently over the
carpet After doing this he approached
the end of one of the wires with his
forefnger, and instantaneously loud
report was heard, the exploder having
been discharged. This first experiment
was with one of the San Francisco Giant
Powder Company's exploders. Now
one of the Electrical Construction COmpa.
ny's was tried without effecting its dis
charge Next, one of George NJ. Now
bray's, of North Adams, Mass, which
did not go off on the first trial, hut it die
on the second with very loud report
After this another of the Giant exploder,
was tried, which went off by the time Mr
Sutro's forefinger had reached within
two or three inches from the end of the
| wire.
These experiments have clearly estab
lished the fact that exploders may be Sc
off by electricity accumulated in the
human body, and the men about the tun
mel we're at once informed of the fact
Instructions were also issued for hand
ling them hereafter, and sheet-iror
plate was placed in the floor of the ex
ploder-house, to which is connected
wire reaching into the water flowing
from the tunnel. The men in handling
exploders now stand on this iron plat
and have instructions to wet their boot
before entering and to put on india
rubber gloves before touching the ex
ploders. If these precautions are prop
erly carried out there will be no DANCE
of explosions hereafter. Any electricit,
accumulated in the human body win a
once be carried off through the iroI
plate, while the rubber gloves, being non
conductors, form an additional protec
ton. No accidents from the explosion
have ever occurred inside the tunnel, for
since the place is very wet, no electricit.
can be retained in the body. But littl
doubt exists that both Mr.. Foreman an,
Mr.. COmbe have met with their misfoI
tunes in the manner indicated.-Sutr
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