Nitroglycerin

ni-tro-glis'er-in, a powerful explosive agent. It is a light yellow, oily liquid produced by the action of nitric acid and sulphuric acid on glycerin. It is 1.6 times as heavy as water. When struck a quick, hard blow, or heated rapidly to 306 deg. F. It explodes with terrific violence. It is a poison, but may be administered in minute doses as a remedy for heart failure. It was discovered in 1864. Pound for pound, it has about three and one-half times the force of powder, but it acts so quickly that it is more effective than powder in blasting large masses of rock. Nitroglycerin is too dangerous for ordinary use. See Dynamite