3 where one-half of usual amount of sodium cyanide was used but without the use of the blower with the result that rats placed in the remotest part of this hold were overcome but not killed. Steamship Philadelphia; hold No. 2, 52,310 cubic feet capacity was selected for the experiment. One-half the amount of sodium cyanide together with the electric blower was used. Rats were placed at the bottom of the holds at a remote distance from the gas generator and blower. Rats were also placed at different parts of the "tween-decks". Exposure to the gas was one hour with the blower in operation. Result: All animals were killed. Schooner; this vessel contained one hold with a capacity of about 120,000 cubic feet. Two blowers were used in this experiment together with one-half the amount of sodium cyanide. The blowers were placed between the decks and hatches No. 1 and No. 3. Rats were placed in the holds, one about forty feet from the blower at hatch No. 3, the cage containing this rat having been completely covered with sacking and loose cork. Rat No. 2 was placed amidships near hatch No. 2. There was no blower at this hatch and the cage was completely covered with sacking and cork. Rat No. 3 was placed in the engine-room which was separated from the holds near hatch No. 1 by a wooden bulkhead. This cage was not covered. Result: rats No. 1 and No. 3 were killed while rat No. 2 was only partially overcome. Experiments similar to the above were carried out on twentyone ships. Where one-half the amount of sodium cyanide with the blowers was used, positive results (the rats were killed) were attained in every instance. While in twelve ships where one-half the amount of sodium cyanide was used without the blowers only four rats were killed. Experiments as to the Removal of Gas It was found that the best means of removing the gas from irregular spaces in compartments after fumigation was by forcibly introducing fresh air, thereby diluting the gaseous air and rendering it less toxic. A number of experiments were carried out with exhaust fans to clear the holds by withdrawing the air. These fans were attached to a specially built long canvas hose, two feet in diameter, the hose was made in such a way that it could be shortened or lengthened according to requirements. The fans were It operated by electric current generated in the boarding vessel. This method was tried on several ships with only partial success. is believed, however, that an exhaust fan with stronger suction would be the ideal method of clearing such irregular spaces. Such a fan would necessarily be unwieldy and could only be used at a permanent fumigation station. FORMS AND NOTICES ISSUED BY THIS DEPARTMENT GOVERNING THE INSPECTION AND FUMIGATION OF VESSELS Upon completion of the inspection of vessels arriving at the Port of New York the following notice is issued to the captain by the boarding officer: You are directed to submit to the following disinfection: (a) Hospitals. (1) (b) Staterooms. (c) Steerage quarters. (d) Forecastles, holds and storerooms after discharge of cargo. (e) Rat-guards necessary on all lines. (f) Raise gang-ways at night unless otherwise guarded to prevent passage of rats. And in case the above is to be performed in whole or in part after admission to pratique, to advise this Department of the time when, and where said vessel or cargo will be ready for fumigation. Deputy Health Officer. (1) Designate part of vessel and nature of cargo to be disinfected. (2) State if at quarantine or at dock. If fumigation of a vessel is ordered by the boarding officer a copy of the following notice is handed to the captain of the ship: STATE OF NEW YORK HEALTH OFFICER'S DEPARTMENT Notice to Captain: S. S. ROSEBANK, N. Y. Your vessel having been ordered to fumigate, your attention is called to the desirability of having this work done at the Quarantine Anchorage as soon as possible. The fumigation of vessels at their docks frequently causes delay. The Health Officer should be notified as to the time and place at which the vessel will be ready for fumigation. The carrying out of the following instructions will save time and money: 1st. Before fumigation can be carried out, all ventilators and all hatches must be closed or covered. Every alternate hatch cover should be left off before covering with tarpaulins. This is done in order to avoid the danger of removing hatch covers while the poisonous gas is in the holds. 2nd. The fumigating gas (hydrocyanic acid gas) is a deadly poison. Therefore, the crew must be removed to a place of safety which the medical officer in charge may designate. 3rd. Unlock all compartments ordered fumigated, and search for sleeping crew. 4th. The gas used for fumigation does not injure any metals, fabrics or foodstuffs, therefore it is not necessary to remove any articles from compartments which are to be fumigated. In order to ascertain accurately the cubic space of each hold, it is necessary for the medical officer in charge of fumigation to examine blue print plan of the ship or obtain such data from some official document. Attention is called to the law of this Port which provides that anyone interfering with or obstructing the Health Officer or his representative in carrying out quarantine regulations and orders is subject to immediate arrest and imprisonment. (Signed) Health Officer's Department, Port of New York. If the Boarding Officer upon inspection of a vessel finds that fumigation is unnecessary, the following notice is sent to the agents or consignees of the vessel: GENTLEMEN: STATE OF NEW YORK HEALTH OFFICER'S DEPARTMENT The master of the S. S. on admission to pratique was directed to place rat-guards, (approved by this department) on all lines, to raise all gangways at night unless otherwise guarded to prevent passage of rats, and to breast off feet from pier . Under the Quarantine Regulations of the Port of New York the Master Owner or Consignee of the vessel is subject to a heavy fine unless these orders are carried out. Kindly call the attention of the Master of the vessel to the requirements. Yours very truly, HEALTH OFFICER'S DEPARTMENT, Per. In case the boarding officer directs the fumigation of a vessel the following notice is at once dispatched to the agents, owners or consignees: GENTLEMEN: Your S. S. STATE OF NEW YORK HEALTH OFFICER'S DEPARTMENT ROSEBANK, N. Y. on admission to pratique was directed to submit to fumigation of forecastles, holds and storerooms after the discharge of cargo, with . to have rat guards on all lines, to raise gangways at night unless otherwise guarded to prevent the passage of rats, and to breast off ... feet from pier. Rats MUST be collected and TURNED OVER to our representative after fumigation. Will you kindly advise this Department when and where said vessel will be ready for such fumigation. Kindly notify the Captain of the vessel of the time set by your office for the fumigation, so that there will be as little delay as possible in carrying out the orders of this Department. Yours very truly, At this port cyanide fumigation of vessels is carried out under the following rules: 1. The vessel to be fumigated should be cleared of all persons except those actually engaged in fumigation prior to generating any gas. 2. A signed statement should be obtained from the officer in charge of the vessel stating that all persons are off the vessel and that every one is to be kept off until given permission to return by the proper quarantine authorities. 3. All doors of all compartments in the vessel are to be unlocked during fumigation. 4. After obtaining the officer's statement, immediately before generating the gas all compartments are to be inspected by the officer in charge in order that he may ascertain that all persons. are off the vessel. 5. Immediately prior to releasing the cyanide acid gas, the person generating the gas should call in a loud voice warning all persons to be off as fumigation of vessel is about to be begun. 6. Warning signs should be displayed on all gangways and a watch kept on the vessel to prevent any chance of persons boarding the vessel during the fumigation. 7. After fumigation, all compartments receiving gas should be entered by the officer or by a fumigator prior to allowing any person to board the vessel. 8. Before permitting persons to board ship after fumigation, a written statement should be given to the mate stating the time |