Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 May 2009
(1) These experiments prove that the fumigator is safer to use than the dumping fixture, because high concentrations of the poison gas are avoided, so that dangerous pockets are not developed.
(2) The poison gas is more evenly distributed over the different parts of the section of the ship under treatment.
(3) High concentrations, however, can be developed^ at will in any part which requires special attention.
(4) The maximum concentrations of the poison gas were obtained in every part of the section in a shorter time, when the fumigator was used, than when the dumping fixture was employed.
(5) The artificial ventilation caused by the fan, which is capable of blowing into the section 500 to 1000 cubic feet of fresh air per minute, according to the speed of the motor, materially assists the rapid clearing of the poison gas from the ship, after it has accomplished its work. It is thus possible to complete the fumigation and ventilation of a ship in 3 hours using the cyanide fumigator, while more than 4 hours are required for the dumping fixture.
(6) Even more important is the fact that smaller quantities of cyanide can be used with greater efficiency in the fumigator, than larger quantities, with less efficiency in the dumping fixture.
(7) The general conclusion is arrived at, that, from the point of view of efficiency, safety and economy, the fumigator is superior to the dumping fixture. Creel has shown that, in respect to the time required for completing the fumigation, and in respect to the thoroughness of the process, both in killing rats and insects, the dumping fixture is superior to the Clayton gas machine. It follows, therefore, that the cyanide fumigator is very much superior in these respects to the Clayton gas machine.
1 The expenses of this enquiry were defrayed by the Indian Research Fund Association.