Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-08-11


this chemical change takes place
in a closed vessel the expansion
may be made TO do work like that
OF forcing a projectile along the
bore OF the great gun or test tube
IN the line Of least resistance.
The hardest work gunner is
called upon TO do is to stand the
tremendous shock. The forces ex-
erted by these gases in expanding
seem TO radiate in all directions from
the cannon, as ripples are caused by
dropping pebble in pool of still
! water. AS a matter OF fact, it has
been discovered that these lines of
forces are exceedingly complicated
affairs and play very queer pranks
about the cannon. AS a result few
people know just which is the safest
or the most dangerous position for
a gunner TO take beside his gun. In
the case of the great 1S-inch guns on
our monitors position back of the
gun is much easier than one nearer
the muZZle.
In addition to this force, there is
an immense pressure exerted on the
sides OF the cannon, so that another
distinct series of shocks a'so radiate
| outward from the barrel If the gun.
These lines Of force are influenced,
besides, by the recoil OF the gun,
which tends to make the lines curve
( outward and intensifies the shock.
. These are in turn more or less COM
peLsated by the forces of the air
opposing them as it rushes into the
mouth Of the cannon when the pro-
! jectile leaves it. AS result of all
these forces the atmosphere is, of
course violently disturbed. AL
though no projectile strikes the gun
ner, who must stand by, it will be
seen that the air is full of missiles
in the form OF invisible lines Of force
or vibrations which lombard. as 1t
were, every part Of the gunner's body
at the same time.
An examination and analysis of the
effect produced upon the human
system and the mind by the firing
of a cannon Is most engrossing. Men
generally accounted courageous trem-
BILE violently in their knees; others
feel nauseated some have severe
headaches few have had their
ear drums split or the action of their
heart affected.
Take the vital organ, the heart,
first. In the space between the right
auricle and ventricle are a set of fine.
~ Srd. hn
The concussiCn makes them tremble
like timbers in building when there
is an earthquake In a weak man
the chamber of the heart is left open
for an instant; the opening and
closing springs lose their control;
the heart shakes; possibly the Choir
dae tendineae are snapped; con-
traction or dilation of the organ
ensues and in some instances death
follows.
I Deafness induced by an explosion
may be traced to the sudden pressure
upon the inner orifice Of the ear and
the tremendous vibration set up.
The thin, transparent, fairly bright
membrane called the drum of the
ear is burst, like piece of tissue
paper held taut and forcibly blown
upon. Sounds are conveyed by the
beating of a tiny mallet upon this
anvil. If the beating is too rapid
and too forcible, the membranes
may be ruptured, a temporary dis
turbance of the mind occurs and the
sufferer becomes dizzy.
When the knees tremble it is due
TO the nervous shock produced in the
cerebellum. All the nerves and
muscles are thrown into antonio con
fractions and relaxation and the
knees appear to give way.
Nausea is also caused by the
physiolog,c cal change that takes place
in the brain. There is a pressure OF
blood there, and the stomach re-
spending, tries to empty Itself
Philadelphia Times.