26 FUMIGATION METHODS 



been removed from the bag and the smaller particles 

 shaken out, the bag was again shaken out the window 

 to free it of any particle's that may have remained. 

 As a result, a few small pieces, not larger than a pin's 

 head, were shaken on the ground. Two fine, large 

 chickens, especially prized by their keeper, roaming 

 about, picked up some of the cyanide, and in less time 

 than it takes to write this account they were on their 

 backs. One died in a very few moments, while the 

 other recovered, evidently not having gotten so much. 



Professor Woods tells me that a favorite cat, asleep 

 under a bench in one of the greenhouses he fumigated, 

 was killed without being awakened. A dog was 

 placed in one of our fumigating houses to test the 

 effect of the gas upon animal life, after the room had 

 been opened and aired for seven minutes, and again 

 closed. The animal was removed after five minutes' 

 exposure in an unconscious condition, but recovered 

 in half an hour. 



Frequently the writer has placed toads, frogs, 

 snakes, pigeons, sparrows, rats, mice, dogs, and cats 

 in some remote corner in buildings to test the thor- 

 oughness of the diffusion of the gas. In every case 

 the animal was dead when removed. Many instances 

 could be cited, but this will suffice our purpose in 

 warning those who use cyanide or hydrocyanic acid 

 gas that they are exceedingly dangerous substances 

 and must be handled carefully. 



