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APPARATUS FOR HYDROCYANIC FUMIGATION.
1223 taken either from the outlet pipe from the fan, or, by making special arrangements, from any part of the compartment under treatment. The apparatus and chemicals for this purpose are provided in the chemical cabinet fixed to the machine.
bounded by the middle line, the right clavicle, and a three finger-breadths above the right clavicle. Deep fluctuation was demonstrable, and incision of the swelling under a general anaesthetic yielded much offensive pus, which oozed out from under the sternomastoid muscle. The pus contained the Streptococcus pyogenes. The abscess cavity was as large as a hen’s egg and was situated between the right lateral iobe of the thyroid and the mid-cervical fascia. The patient made a slow but uneventful recovery. In distinguishing between this condition and suppurative thyroiditis more help may, in Prof. Clairmont’s opinion, be obtained from the history of the case than from the local examination before operation.
point
Liston’s fumigator thus differs from the dumping fixture in that (1) the poison gas, on generation, is rapidly diluted with air, so that high concentrations are avoided ; (2) the evolution of the gas is constantly under control during the whole period of fumigation ; (3) the concentration of gas within the room can be estimated at any time ; (4) the distribution of gas in the compartment is rendered more rapid and even by mechanical means ; (5) the gas can be displaced by fresh air when its work is accomplished, a system of artificial ventilation assisting the natural ventilation of the ship. The machines are portable and can be carried by two men. Each is equipped to deal with 60,000 cubic feet of space at one time, so that a number of machines or units are required for the fumigation of a ship ; the units should be used simultaneously, so that the whole ship is fumigated at one time. The period required for completing the process is from three to four hours. A port health officer should be provided with at least ten units or machines. The experiments detailed by the authors in their paper demonstrate the defects and dangers of the dumping fixture and the advantages, noted above, which are to be derived from the use of the fumigator. For instance, while 7 Ib. of sodium cyanide scarcely sufficed to kill all rats when the dumping fixture was employed, 6 lb. were sufficient to kill all rats with the fumigator. The use of the fumigator probably ensures greater safety, first because the poison gas is generated in the open air, secondly because its rapid dilution prevents the occurrence of pockets of poison gas in high concentrations. With the fumigator economy in the use of cyanide and acid effects a saving which goes far to cover the greater primary outlay and running expenses, as against the smaller cost and maintenance charges of the dumping fixture. On the grounds of safety and efficiency, therefore, it seems possible that Liston’s cyanide fumigator may replace the dumping fixture in the fumigation of ships by hydrocyanic acid gas. The publication of the complete report on the Southampton cases will be awaited with interest.
APPARATUS FOR HYDROCYANIC FUMIGATION. THE fumigation of ships by hydrocyanic acid gas has been enthusiastically advocated and practised by the United States port health authorities, but the in America and in England of fatal occurrence accidents during the process has hitherto prevented the universal adoption of the method. Dr. G. R. Seager Thomas sets out in our present issue the postmortem findings in two fatal cases which occurred last July at Southampton as an instalment of a more In the current number of the complete report. Journal of Hygiene Lieut.-Colonel W. Glen Liston, 1.M.S., and Mr. S. N. Gore compare the results of fumigation with HCN gas in a series of experiments on a ship using alternately the " dumping fixture" and Liston’s " cyanide fumigator." The characteristics of these two forms of apparatus may first be briefly described.
The dumping fixture has been employed extensively in the United States. It consists of a barrel, to the upper edge of which one or two boxes are fixed on hinges. The barrel serves to hold a strong solution of H2SO4, while the boxes are filled with NaCN. The contents of the boxes can be tilted into the acid when desired by drawing upon cords adjusted for the purpose. The HCN gas is generated in this way. No special arrangement is made to distribute the gas, and the quantity evolved depends on the quantity and quality of the NaCN used. The concentration of the poison gas present in the space under treatment is not estimated at any stage in the process, and no means are provided for getting rid of the poison after it has accomplished its work other than the natural ventilation existing on the ship. Liston’s cyanide fumigator is a more elaborate apparatus. The gas is generated in a closed box which can be placed in the open air. On the lid of the box a petrol motor, a fan, ARSENOBENZOL AND THE SPIROCHÆTE. and a chemical cabinet are fixed. The motor is capable of AN excellent survey of the position of arsenorevolving the fan at a speed of 3600 revolutions per minute, and at this speed it can draw into the generating box, benzol in the treatment of syphilis is contributed by through an inlet pipe six inches in diameter, and deliver Mr. Claude H. Mills to the April and May numbers through an outlet pipe of the same diameter, 1200 cubic of the British Journal of Dermatology and Syphilis. feet of air per minute at a pressure of six inches on a water After considering the various methods of administering gauge. The apparatus and chemicals required for generating, the drug and the points in its favour, the author measuring, and testing the poison gas are contained in discusses the limitations of the arsenobenzols in the chemical cabinet. The gas is evolved within the syphilis. He points out that the failure of arsenogenerating box by allowing a solution of sodium cyanide to benzol to cure cases of syphilis, in which some time mix with a solution of sulphuric acid on a mixing platform within the box. The quantity of poison gas evolved is has been allowed to elapse before treatment has regulated by the rate of flow of the two liquids upon the commenced, is due to the fact that the Spirochœta mixing platform ; this rate is controlled by two screw pallida has a power of remaining latent in avascular clamps fixed on the rubber tubing which conducts the retreats where arsenobenzol is unable to reach it. fluids from the vessels in the chemical cabinet into the No matter what may supersede those in present generating box. When the motor is working the poison use, they will bedrugs faced with the same problem of gas is diluted as rapidly as it is generated with air drawn by the fan from the compartment under treatment through penetration. Another important point upon which the inlet pipe connecting the generating box with the the author dwells is the variation with which indivicompartment. The poison gas, diluted in this way, is at dual cases presenting a clinical similarity with regard once blown back by the fan along an outlet pipe connecting to duration of infection respond to a uniform course the fan and generating box with the compartment. The of arsenobenzol treatment. It is probable that the outlet pipe extends into the compartment for a considerable of excretion exerts an important influence, for, rate of of branches distance ; it is furnished with a number as Mr. Mills points out, the patient who eliminates gradually decreasing diameter, so that the diluted gas is a given dosage slowly does better clinically than a carried to the remotest parts of the compartment and at delivered there at from eight to ten different points. These patient who excretes the same rapidly, points may be selected on the various decks of the ship. the same time he is more likely to develop such The air and poison gas within the compartment are thus collateral effects as dermatitis and jaundice. The continuously circulated through the generating box, where slower he excretes the greater the chance of a large more poison gas can be added at will up to the concentraof the injected dose being converted into tion required to destroy rats, bugs, fleas, or other vermin. proportion Another point on which The concentration of poison gas in the air circulating spirochaeticidal derivative. is the the emphasis paper lays dangerous nature of be the machine can estimated at time through any by stopping the generation of the gas for a few minutes, while the relapses met with in cases that have been insuffia measured volume of the air mixed with poison gas is ciently treated with arsenobenzol. These relapses
I
although
bounded by the middle line, the right clavicle, and a three finger-breadths above the right clavicle. Deep fluctuation was demonstrable, and incision of the swelling under a general anaesthetic yielded much offensive pus, which oozed out from under the sternomastoid muscle. The pus contained the Streptococcus pyogenes. The abscess cavity was as large as a hen’s egg and was situated between the right lateral iobe of the thyroid and the mid-cervical fascia. The patient made a slow but uneventful recovery. In distinguishing between this condition and suppurative thyroiditis more help may, in Prof. Clairmont’s opinion, be obtained from the history of the case than from the local examination before operation.
point
Liston’s fumigator thus differs from the dumping fixture in that (1) the poison gas, on generation, is rapidly diluted with air, so that high concentrations are avoided ; (2) the evolution of the gas is constantly under control during the whole period of fumigation ; (3) the concentration of gas within the room can be estimated at any time ; (4) the distribution of gas in the compartment is rendered more rapid and even by mechanical means ; (5) the gas can be displaced by fresh air when its work is accomplished, a system of artificial ventilation assisting the natural ventilation of the ship. The machines are portable and can be carried by two men. Each is equipped to deal with 60,000 cubic feet of space at one time, so that a number of machines or units are required for the fumigation of a ship ; the units should be used simultaneously, so that the whole ship is fumigated at one time. The period required for completing the process is from three to four hours. A port health officer should be provided with at least ten units or machines. The experiments detailed by the authors in their paper demonstrate the defects and dangers of the dumping fixture and the advantages, noted above, which are to be derived from the use of the fumigator. For instance, while 7 Ib. of sodium cyanide scarcely sufficed to kill all rats when the dumping fixture was employed, 6 lb. were sufficient to kill all rats with the fumigator. The use of the fumigator probably ensures greater safety, first because the poison gas is generated in the open air, secondly because its rapid dilution prevents the occurrence of pockets of poison gas in high concentrations. With the fumigator economy in the use of cyanide and acid effects a saving which goes far to cover the greater primary outlay and running expenses, as against the smaller cost and maintenance charges of the dumping fixture. On the grounds of safety and efficiency, therefore, it seems possible that Liston’s cyanide fumigator may replace the dumping fixture in the fumigation of ships by hydrocyanic acid gas. The publication of the complete report on the Southampton cases will be awaited with interest.
APPARATUS FOR HYDROCYANIC FUMIGATION. THE fumigation of ships by hydrocyanic acid gas has been enthusiastically advocated and practised by the United States port health authorities, but the in America and in England of fatal occurrence accidents during the process has hitherto prevented the universal adoption of the method. Dr. G. R. Seager Thomas sets out in our present issue the postmortem findings in two fatal cases which occurred last July at Southampton as an instalment of a more In the current number of the complete report. Journal of Hygiene Lieut.-Colonel W. Glen Liston, 1.M.S., and Mr. S. N. Gore compare the results of fumigation with HCN gas in a series of experiments on a ship using alternately the " dumping fixture" and Liston’s " cyanide fumigator." The characteristics of these two forms of apparatus may first be briefly described.
The dumping fixture has been employed extensively in the United States. It consists of a barrel, to the upper edge of which one or two boxes are fixed on hinges. The barrel serves to hold a strong solution of H2SO4, while the boxes are filled with NaCN. The contents of the boxes can be tilted into the acid when desired by drawing upon cords adjusted for the purpose. The HCN gas is generated in this way. No special arrangement is made to distribute the gas, and the quantity evolved depends on the quantity and quality of the NaCN used. The concentration of the poison gas present in the space under treatment is not estimated at any stage in the process, and no means are provided for getting rid of the poison after it has accomplished its work other than the natural ventilation existing on the ship. Liston’s cyanide fumigator is a more elaborate apparatus. The gas is generated in a closed box which can be placed in the open air. On the lid of the box a petrol motor, a fan, ARSENOBENZOL AND THE SPIROCHÆTE. and a chemical cabinet are fixed. The motor is capable of AN excellent survey of the position of arsenorevolving the fan at a speed of 3600 revolutions per minute, and at this speed it can draw into the generating box, benzol in the treatment of syphilis is contributed by through an inlet pipe six inches in diameter, and deliver Mr. Claude H. Mills to the April and May numbers through an outlet pipe of the same diameter, 1200 cubic of the British Journal of Dermatology and Syphilis. feet of air per minute at a pressure of six inches on a water After considering the various methods of administering gauge. The apparatus and chemicals required for generating, the drug and the points in its favour, the author measuring, and testing the poison gas are contained in discusses the limitations of the arsenobenzols in the chemical cabinet. The gas is evolved within the syphilis. He points out that the failure of arsenogenerating box by allowing a solution of sodium cyanide to benzol to cure cases of syphilis, in which some time mix with a solution of sulphuric acid on a mixing platform within the box. The quantity of poison gas evolved is has been allowed to elapse before treatment has regulated by the rate of flow of the two liquids upon the commenced, is due to the fact that the Spirochœta mixing platform ; this rate is controlled by two screw pallida has a power of remaining latent in avascular clamps fixed on the rubber tubing which conducts the retreats where arsenobenzol is unable to reach it. fluids from the vessels in the chemical cabinet into the No matter what may supersede those in present generating box. When the motor is working the poison use, they will bedrugs faced with the same problem of gas is diluted as rapidly as it is generated with air drawn by the fan from the compartment under treatment through penetration. Another important point upon which the inlet pipe connecting the generating box with the the author dwells is the variation with which indivicompartment. The poison gas, diluted in this way, is at dual cases presenting a clinical similarity with regard once blown back by the fan along an outlet pipe connecting to duration of infection respond to a uniform course the fan and generating box with the compartment. The of arsenobenzol treatment. It is probable that the outlet pipe extends into the compartment for a considerable of excretion exerts an important influence, for, rate of of branches distance ; it is furnished with a number as Mr. Mills points out, the patient who eliminates gradually decreasing diameter, so that the diluted gas is a given dosage slowly does better clinically than a carried to the remotest parts of the compartment and at delivered there at from eight to ten different points. These patient who excretes the same rapidly, points may be selected on the various decks of the ship. the same time he is more likely to develop such The air and poison gas within the compartment are thus collateral effects as dermatitis and jaundice. The continuously circulated through the generating box, where slower he excretes the greater the chance of a large more poison gas can be added at will up to the concentraof the injected dose being converted into tion required to destroy rats, bugs, fleas, or other vermin. proportion Another point on which The concentration of poison gas in the air circulating spirochaeticidal derivative. is the the emphasis paper lays dangerous nature of be the machine can estimated at time through any by stopping the generation of the gas for a few minutes, while the relapses met with in cases that have been insuffia measured volume of the air mixed with poison gas is ciently treated with arsenobenzol. These relapses
I
although