Bruce wrote:

That was also the reason for using permanganate of potash. Â*It seemed
to work, because the stumps would smoulder away to almost nothing.

OK, I only saw the stuff in small amounts in chemistry sets and as crystals
for disinfecting, I think it was used in public baths for treating foot
infections. Quite effective with spirit of salts IIRC ;-).

Saltpetre could be obtained in bulk then and the sodium chlorate didn't
have inhibitors in it! How did we survive before terrorists showed us our
errors?

AJH