Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise

by P. Gerald (Percy Gerald) Sanford

"Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise" by P. Gerald Sanford is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to the properties, manufacture, and analysis of various nitro-explosive compounds, including nitro-glycerine and smokeless powders. It is intended for chemists, analysts, and those involved in the manufacturing of explosives, emphasizing practical applications in mining, blasting, and propulsive technology. At the start of the treatise, the author outlines the advancements in nitro-explosive manufacturing, detailing the chemical processes involved in the nitration of organic substances, primarily glycerine and cellulose. It elaborates on the properties of nitro-glycerine, its applications in dynamite, and the significance of maintaining safety in explosive environments, particularly in constructing "danger buildings" designed to minimize the risks of explosions. The opening chapters provide a technical definition of nitro-explosives, discuss the importance of chemical purity, and examine the protocols for safe manufacture and handling of explosive materials, setting a detailed groundwork for the more specific analysis and methodologies to follow in subsequent sections.