The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-08-11


tended by the sensation Of light it is
difficult to conjecture, unless it be di-
rectly due to the physiological effect
produced on breaking the circuit. Sim
liar effects, only not so pronounced, can
| be observed en- vibrating the eyeballs
after any ordinary overstrain of the
eyes.
Explosives and Explosions.
! Some instructive facts are found in
the annual report for 1898 of the Brit
rish inspectors Of explosives. The
amount Of foreign nitro-g1ycerine COM
pounds suitable for blasting purposes
imported during the year was 576,950
pounds. This is very large decrease
on 1892. Dynamite has fallen nearly
80 per cent; gelatine dynamite, 9 per
cent; metagnite gelatine, 6S per cent;
while blasting gelatine has disappeared
from the list altogether. The list Of ac-
cidents in factories amounts to thirty
eight, as against sixty-seven in the
previous year. One most serious acci-
dent took place during the process Of
mixing a highly sensitive cap compost
ton, and the second explosion, in the
same factory about half minute after
ward, was caused by about one pound
OF mixed composition, which the mixer
had incautiously, and contrary to in
structions, left On the floor of the she'd
In both OF these cases the system of
mixing, which had frequently been
| messed ho nf fhn
had been neglected. Referring to u
fatal accident from spontaneous igni-
ton of some colored stars, the inspect
ors felt that the time had come when
some decided steps should be taken
to prohibit as far as possible, the use
of such dangerous combinations, and
they accordingly issued to the leading
fireWOrk makers circular in which
they invited an expression Of opinion
as to the practicability of wholly dis
pensing with an admixture of chlorate
of potash and sulphur in frework COM
position. This circular was sent to
forty-two manufacturers of fireworks,
of whom twenty-one returned replies.
The broad result is that ten state that
they did not use such mixtures, and are
in favor of prohibition; four say that
they will support prohibition, but that
they have not been altogether doing
away with sulphur; two more urge that
they find it necessary to use sulphur
in roman candle stars only: while five
are opposed to prohibition. Out of the
seven who are not prepared to support
prohibition, five intimate that they
would do so if they could arrive a.
the formula which would produce the
same effect as sulphur r-chlorate mix
lures. The accidents in the Use of
fireworks have been very few. One oc-
Cured In a theater. 1t is usual in thea
ters to produce lightning flashes by
means Of flash caused by dropping
a small pinch of composition of magne-
stun two parts and chlorate of pot
ash Zone par) on a heated metal plate.
Unfortunately, in this case, through the
incaution and disobedience of order of
one of the operators, the whole batch
of composition (about 10 ounces) be-
came ignited, and a violent explosion
ensued. The general showing Of the
report is that the number of accidents
from explosives is largely on the de-
crease, partly on account of greater
care on the part of the laborers in fac
tories and the public, and partly from
more scientific methods of manufacture
The Typewriter on the Battlefield.
Military authorities appear to be ex-
hausting every resource that will add
to the rapidity of communication be-
tween the field of battle and the COM
handing officer. For long time the
telegraph was mainly relied on for the
instant transmission of intelligence,
and then the telephone was brought
into active use. It has been recently
seriously proposed that aides-de-camp
and other carriers Of information in
time Of war should be taught short
communications with all possible speed,
and the latest move in this direction
is the introduction Of the typewriter
on the battlefield for the purpose of
recording messages from signalers. 1t
is stated that the typewriter operator
was also an expert cyclist, and had
his Remington mounted on the handles
Of his machine. Riding in and out
among the horses and gun carriages,
which he did without the slightest mis-
hap, whenever he came to stand
still he instantly braced up the cycle
by handy contriyance and pounded
away at the typewriter while in the
saddle. The message, when completed,
was sent to the commanding officer in
the rear by means Of a trained dog.
Testing the Hearing.