FUMIGATION WITH CARBON BISULPHID 259 



pairing their edibility. All trace of the odor dis- 

 appears quickly when such produces are exposed to 

 the air. The ordinary commercial article has a slightly 

 yellowish tinge due to its impurities, which also give 

 it a rank fetid odor that is extremely obnoxious. 

 When an impure article is used, a slight residue may 

 be left after the evaporation of the liquid. Such a 

 grade will stain fabrics, and it should be poured upon 

 food stuffs with care, though its vapor will do no harm. 

 Liquid carbon bisulphid is not explosive, and there 

 need be no fear of handling it, provided the vessels are 

 perfectly tight. It should be kept where there is no 

 fire in a dry place, so the cans will not rust. Carbon 

 bisulphid boils at 115 F. One volume of the liquid 

 is said to give 375 volumes of vapor upon evaporation. 



Properties of vapor. Owing to its heavy properties 

 the vapor of carbon bisulphid can be poured from one 

 vessel to another, like water. It is 2.63 times heavier 

 than air. It diffuses quite readily through the air, as 

 can be perceived by its odor. It has a tendency to 

 seek lower levels, and consequently will be more dense 

 as it works downward. This fact should be borne in 

 mind, as it has an important bearing upon the applica- 

 tion of this material. It is the opposite of hydrocyanic 

 acid gas, which is lighter than air. Carbon bisulphid 

 in both liquid and vapor form is an efficient disinfectant. 

 Meats have been kept in its atmosphere for many weeks. 

 The disinfectant is the same gas as is formed by burn- 

 ing sulphur or brimstone. 



Inhaling the gas. The extreme effects of the vapor 

 of carbon bisulphid if inhaled are giddiness, vomiting, 

 congestion, coma, and death. The material can be 



