Soft stick spread

A small amt of the expl was spread on a large stone table and then struck a glancing blow with a mallet made either of rawhide or beech wood. The expl was thus subjected to the combined effect of shock and friction. If the sample exploded, the test was repeated by hitting the expl a glancing blow with a broomstick held at an angle of 60° against the table, taking care that the movement of the stick is in the direction of its axis. If an expin were obtd, the test was repeated on a hard wooden table and finally on a soft wooden one. If an expl, other than those used for caps, detonators, etc exploded, even partly on soft wood, it was considered to be too sensitive for use (Compare with Torpedo Friction Test, described as quantitative test i, Fi g F22)... 

Plasters are composed chiefly of oils and unctuous substances united with oxides or powders, into such consistence that the compound may remain firm in the cold without sticking to the fingers that it may be soft and pliable in the heat of the human body yet so tenacious as readily to adhere both to the parts on which it is applied, and to the substance on which it is spread. Plasters require to be melted, or rather softened, by a gentle heat, to admit of their being spread. 

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