THE CONTROL OF HUMAN LICE 



323 



or increased pressure, and in normal atmospheres or in vacuums (plate 

 XXIII). Fulton and Stamford recommend the following procedure: 



1. Place woolen blankets or uniforms on hangers or loosely on trays 

 in the sterilizer. 



2. Introduce 60 pounds steam into the outer jacket to prevent sub- 

 sequent condensation within the sterilizing chamber. 



3. Create a 15 or 20-inch vacuum to facilitate penetration of the 

 clothing by the steam. 



4. Sterilize with steam. 



a. No pounds (atmospheric pressure) for one hour. 



b. Twelve pounds steam for 10 minutes. 



Plate XXIII. — Steam sterilizer in delousing station of U. S. Army Medical Corps. 

 Tlie carriage is transferred along the rails in the foreground to rails leading into 

 the other room where another carriage is seen. (Hutchison.) 



5. Produce 15 to 20-inch vacuum to facilitate drying. 



6. Open the door of the sterilizer about 4* inches for 10 minutes to 

 allow gradual cooling of the contents of the sterilizer. 



Steam under pressure will disintegrate woolens if the exposure is pro- 

 longed. The bacterial sterilization requires preliminary vacuum and 

 loose packing. Garments placed in bags are likely to have the wrinkles 

 set, if water of condensation settles in them when the steam has not pene- 

 trated at a sufficiently high temperature. If the cooling or dr3ang is 

 very rapid, wrinkles and shrinkage are quite likely to result. 



