Volume 3
The insurance cyclopaedia : being a dictionary of the definition of terms used in connexion with the theory and practice of insurance in all its branches, a biographical summary ..., a bibliographical repertory ..., an historical treasury ..., and also containing a detailed account of the rise and progress of insurance in Europe and in America ... / by Cornelius Walford.
- Date:
- 1871-1878
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The insurance cyclopaedia : being a dictionary of the definition of terms used in connexion with the theory and practice of insurance in all its branches, a biographical summary ..., a bibliographical repertory ..., an historical treasury ..., and also containing a detailed account of the rise and progress of insurance in Europe and in America ... / by Cornelius Walford. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
140/672 (page 136)
![factories and magazines lawfully existing at the time of the passing of the Act with a continuing certificate of unlimited duration, and to let a Court of Law decide any difference which may arise as to the right to this certificate. The Home Secretary, when issuing this certificate, will be empowered to impose certain restrictions necessary for the public safety, such as assigning some limit to the quantities to be stored in a magazine hitherto unlimited, but all such conditions are to be made the subject of arbitration. The Act will not apply to Government works, or to Volunteer storehouses, nor will it interfere with the law of nuisance ; and the Committee trust that the legislation thus indicated will add materially to the public safety, with a due regard to the necessities of the trade. A measure embodying the several provisions here stated is now [1875] before Parliament. In the Appendix is contained T. of the factories, stores, etc., for explosives in the U.K. up to 31 March, 1874. There were then in work 29 factories for gunpowder and other explosives, viz. 23 in E. and \V., 5 in Scot., and I in Ireland ; factories for ammunition, fireworks, blasting-fuze, etc., 64, viz. 62 in E. and W,, 2 in Scot.; store mag. for gun- powder, 171, viz. 135 in E. and W., 26 in Scot., 10in Ireland; magazines for nitro-glycerine preparations, 391, viz. 297 in E. and W., 78 in Scot., and 16 in Ireland. In 1874 also there was pub, another State document: Reports on the necessity for the amefidment of the Law relating to gtinpoavder and other explosives, with suggestions for a new Act. By Vivian Bering Majendie, Major R.A. In this document is contained a vast amount of information bearing upon the subject under consideration ; and one main result of its perusal is a feeling of astonishment that the casualties from explosives have not been much more numerous. He sums up his experience by stating: I am quite sure that if the public were at all aware of the extent to which gunpowder is handled in large quantities, without any special regulations, in the middle of the metropolis and of large cities, they would be seriously alarmed, and would demand the adoption of measures for removing so patent a danger. Towards the close of 1874 it was announced that experiments had been made in Sweden with a new explosive compound, which is stated to embody all the good and none of the bad qualities of every previously known explosive, than which it is also said to be more powerful. This new destructive agent comes to us under the very expressive name of vigorite, but the nature of its composition is at present kept a profound secret by its inventor, who is, we understand, a Swede. It will be instructive to notice the regulations which prevail in other countries regarding many of the substances we have been discussing. In France the manufacture of gunpowder is a State monopoly. Up to 1834 about 10 lbs. (English) of gunpowder could be kept by private individuals. The quantity was then reduced to about 4lbs. It is allowed to be sold by licensed dealers: the price being fixed by the Gov. The regulations as to transport require that the vehicles must be escorted, and must be halted in inclosed places away from towns. The local authorities must be warned. When the amount exceeds 4 lbs., the conductor must have a bill of lading and written authority to proceed. In Austria the manufacture of gunpowder and other explosives is also a State monopoly. Gunpowder is only allowed to be stored under similar regulations to those observed in the Gov. artillery magazines ; and the precautions are very stringent. The storing of dynamites and explosives is regulated by special instructions bearing date 1872. Before the transport of an explosive is permitted, a certificate must be obtained from the Poly- technic Inst, at Vienna. In Sweden a licence is required for the manufacture of various explosive substances, and a certificate of qualification is necessary to the applicant. The factory must be over 3 miles (English) from a city or market town, and not near churches, powder magazines, etc. The premises must also be inspected and approved by Gov. inspector. The regulations as to storage are very stringent. The dealers may not keep over 10 lbs. at one place of sale, or more than 50 lbs. in a separate store carefully closed and securely locked. Private consumers are not allowed to keep more than 2 lbs. in any city, market town, or house near ; or more than 20 lbs. anywhere else. But exceptional permission to store a larger quantity in a place pronounced fit and suitable by a competent inspector may be given. There are special regulations for the carriage of nitro-glycerine compounds by rail. It is not allowed to be sent by passenger steamers, stage coaches, post packet boats, or other post-office conveyance. If over 20 lbs. be sent by public road, very special regulations must be observed. In Nonvay explosives may not be made without a licence within a mile (English) of market towns, or wharves, or public roads ; nor in certain other localities without the assent of the local authorities. No nitro-glycerine, or more than 5 lbs. of dynamite, or 10 lbs. of gunpowder, may be kept within half a mile of a town or wharf. But the police have the control of regulations for larger quantities. The regulations for transport are under the control of the Crown, and are very stringent. Oils.—It will be observed that hitherto in this art. we have said nothing respecting petroleum, and other mineral oils, usually regarded as explosive. The reason is that these oils in themselves cannot be called explosive. They do, however, when exposed](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21915404_0003_0140.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
