The man was a machinist in the employ of the East River Lead Co., and had charge of a machine which converted molten lead into wire.

This machine consists of a steel box into which the lead is forced, being pressed through an aperture 1/8 inch in diameter by hydraulic pressure of 600 tons.

Reaching the air, the lead becomes hard and is wound on a large wheel in the form of wire.

Just before the accident this small aperture had become clogged, and the patient seized the projecting wire in his hand, intending to free the action of the machine, as he had previously done on many occasions, by a sharp, strong pull; but in so doing an explosion occurred, and he was hurled to the floor unconscious.

While on the way to the hospital in the ambulance, he became conscious and complained of but little pain except soreness of the left arm about the elbow.