[22] In administering draughts to horses, the greatest possible care and attention are required; should the horse cough, or make an attempt to do so, his head must be instantly lowered, otherwise a portion of the drink will be apt to find its way into the trachea or windpipe, which will produce most distressing symptoms, and often be followed by death. In lowering the head, a can or vessel of any kind should be held under the mouth to catch the drink as it escapes.
[23] From “Instructions for the Service of Heavy Ordnance.”—Article 15.
[24] Words of command—SMALL CAPITALS.
[25] From “Instructions, and Regulations for the Service, and Management of Heavy Ordnance, for the Royal Regiment of Artillery.” Fourth edition. The Parts, and Articles are numbered in conformity thereto.
[26] Words of command—SMALL CAPITALS.
[27] Vide [Part 12], “Artillerist’s Manual,” etc., The Mechanical powers. [The Lever].
[28] By the ballistic experiment, conducted in May, 1837, it was found that, with a heavy 6-pounder gun, a charge of 1½ lb. gave a velocity of 1740 feet, and a charge of 2 lb. a velocity of 1892 feet per second. The shot employed were of a high gauge, windage only ·078 inch, and the powder was of the strongest quality; the weight of the pendulum fired into was 58 cwt. 3 qrs. 16 lb. A light 6-pounder, two feet shorter than the heavy 6-pounder, with similar charges, gave velocities of about 190 feet less.
[29] Extracted from Part 2, and Appendix of General Sir Howard Douglas’ highly valued work, entitled “A Treatise on Naval Gunnery.” 3rd edition.
[30] On wads for Heavy Ordnance.
The presence of a compressible body, between the powder and the ball, is necessary for the preservation of the gun. The results of the experiments at Fere, in 1844; at Ruelle in 1844, and 1846; and at Gavres in 1848; with cast iron 30, and 24-pounders, proved that all the pieces, fired without a thin piece of cork interposed between the powder and the ball, burst before 500 discharges were made; whilst those, with which this precaution was taken, sustained 1800 and 2000 discharges without any damage, except an enlargement of the vent. Vide United Service Magazine, September, 1855.