The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-07
Human Batteries.

1t has been known for some time that
the human body becomes much charged
with electricity in the attitudes and ex-
ceedingly 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 exploders. Two
very serious and sad accidents have hap
pened within few months at the mouth
of the Sutro tunnel, both through the
sudden and apparently unaccountable
discharge of number Of exploders in the
exploder-house. In the first place, Henry
L. Foreman, formerly connected with
the Signal Service Bureau at Washing
ton, gentleman of scholarly attain
ments, good mathematician and astron-
omer, was engaged in examining some OF
these exploders when two hundred went
off, completely destroying his eyesight
and otherwise seriously injuring him.
These exploders are large copper gum
caps an inch and sixteenth in length
and three-sixteenths of an inch in diam
eter, and most kinds are charged with
illuminate of mercury.
Two insulated gutta-percha wires con-
meet with each cup, through which the
electric spark is sent (after they are placed
in cartridges of the different combina-
tions of nitro-glycerine) which sets of
the cap, and the conclusion caused
thereby explodes the powder. The second
accident referred to happened but few
weeks ago, in the same place and prob
ably in the same manner, by which
Thomas Coombs lost his left hand and
part of his arm. He was engaged in
forming ten exploders into coil around
his hand, when suddenly they went off,
shattering that member in SO fearful a
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 body cleo
tricity, and not conclusion, which had
caused these explosions. Electric explo-
ders made by different parties were
taken, one after another, and placed in
a strong wooden box, which again was
placed in another box in Mr.. Sutro's
parlor. This room is covered with a heavy
Brussels carpet, walking over which
causes the human body to be speedily
charged with electricity. Mr.. Hancock
the chief blaster, assisted in the expert
ments, and held the wires while Mr.
Sutro walked around the room two OF
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 instanta
neously loud report was heard, the ex
ploder having been discharged. This firs1
experiment was with one of the Sar
Francisco Giant Powder Company's ex
| ploders. Now one of the Electrical
Construction Company's was tried, with
out effecting its discharge. Next one O.
George M. Mowbray's, of North Adams
Mass, which did not go off on the frs
trial, but it did on the second, with 8
very loud report. After this another O
the giant exloders was tried, which wen
off by the time Mr.. Sutro's forefngel
had reached within two or three inche
from the end of the wire.
These experiments have clearly estab
lished the fact that exploders may be se
off by electricity accumulated in the hu
man body, and the men about the tunne
were at once informed Of the fact. In
structions were also issued for the hand
ling of them hereafter, and sheet-irol
plate was placed on the floor of the explo
der-house, to which is connected a wir
reaching into the water flowing from tn
tunnel. The men in handling exploder
now stand on this iron plate, and hav
instructions to wet their boots before en-
tering, and to put on India-rubber glove
before touching the exploders. If thes
precautions are properly carried ou
there will be no danger Of explosion
hereafter. Any electricity accum ulatet
in the human body will at once be carriet
off through the iron plate, while the rub
Der gloves, being non-conductors, form
an additional protection. No accident
from these explosions have ever occurre,
inside the tunnel, for, since the place i
very wet, no electricity can be retaine
in the body. But little doubt exists tina
both Mr.. Foreman and Mr.. Cocmbs hav
met with their misfortunes in the mar
ner indicated,