The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-06-22
AWFUL FORGE.
0f shimoss, The Japanese Explo-
sivs, Which Tears Men to Atoms.

ss Df. Wa6a. SsaH surgeon on the HaS-
cal, has given correspondent the fol-
lowing details In regard to shimose.
the secret explosive used by the Japa-
nese. He had twenty-four of the worst
cases afer they had been aboard the
Pascal for foar days and where most
os the fragments had already been ex-
traesed. he extracted some more frag-
ments, all Of which he said were sun-
donbted1y parts of high-explosive
The doctor showed parcel contain
ing fragments extracted from one man.
The largest piece was two inches long
and half an inch vide at the greatest
point. &c was shaped like an arrow.
The next two pieces were about the
size OF hazel nuts. The other frag-
ments. numbering 129. ranged In size
from q pinhead TO full grown pea.
An examination Of the largest piece
showed that the outer walls OF the
shell were not more shan three-eights
@of an inch thick and that it was fired
from nothing smaller than six-lnch
gan. The Inference is that nothing
but the best OF steel can be used TO
stand the pressure on the bore OF the
gun. Nothing but a high explosive
could smash strong steel she'll into
sneh minute fragments.
Dr.. Wada in operating On twelve
sailors did not ind a larger fragment
than the one described. There was
no indications OF shrapnel. He de-
seribed how on decks made slippery
with blood he saw small bits OF flesh.
and bone scattered everywhere. The
doctor tumbled over. an arm here and
"a ieg there. He saw men with their
abdomen carried away and the flesh
torn of their bodies. Nothing bat a
high explosive she'll be said, could
have caused such effects. The doctor
censinued
Two sailors stood on the bridge
with Captain Rndinef, Count Nirod
and petty officer. One of the new
shells struck the petty officer. The
shells are provided with fuses and
take effect not only on contact with
water, but with parts of rigging, Hv-.
lag men. even clothing in fact
wherever the resistance is sufficient
to alter the speed ever so little. The
shell referred to exploded and blew
Z Liz US4ky O1HCSE W 10SL0os Z = aS1O was
ahsolutely nothing found of him after
ward. Count Nitrod, who was stand.
ins next to him, was also blown to
pieces, only one arm being found
afterWard. The two sailors stood a
little way off. The explosion tore all
the flesh from the lower parts OF their
legs. which had to be amputated after
ward. Captain Rudinef was still a
little farther of and escaped with
slight wounds In the head.
In old shells the fragments are
meant to- kill or wound. The explosive
is there merely to burst the shell and
give additional impetus to the frag
rnents. In the new shells the explo-
sive itself is meant to. kill. The fnnc-'
ton of the shells is simply to convey
the explosive to the desired spot. y
Referring to the numerous cases of
suppuration of wounds caused by
pieces of clothing entering with the
fragments OF shell, Dr.. Wada sng-
sested that the government should
make a new rule in the navy that
whenever fghi is expected every
man shall have his body well washed
and his clothing disinfected. London
Cor. Baltimore Sun.