CHAPTER IV 

 EFFECTS ON ANIMAL LIFE 



O""lwiNG to the very deadly nature of hydrocy- 

 ^^ anic acid gas if inhaled by animals, the 

 following instances are given as a warning 

 to those who may handle this material. 



A fortunate accident happened in a fumigating 

 house which should be a signal warning to those who 

 may use this gas. The house had been filled with 

 Norway maple trees, and after the usual length of 

 time the doors were thrown open. At the expiration 

 of seven minutes a negro laborer, who had been re- 

 peatedly warned not to enter the room under ten 

 minutes, went in and began handing out the trees to 

 another negro standing at the door. He handed out 

 two bundles, and while stooping for the third fell 

 headlong on the floor. He was immediately pulled 

 out, laid on his back in the open air, recovered con- 

 sciousness in about fifteen minutes, and was seemingly 

 as well as ever in half an hour. When asked what 

 had happened and how he felt, he replied, " De I/ord 

 only knows dat stuff am a powf ul axfitter ! ' ' 



Another peculiar accident happened during our 

 experimental operations at Mr. Emory's. Our cyanide 

 having been shipped to us in lumps too large for use, 

 we found it necessary to break it up in smaller pieces. 

 In order to do this and keep it from flying, we covered 

 it with an old fertilizer bag. After the cyanide had 



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