626 EVERYDAY SCIENCE 



shades and curtains to full length. Open long seams on pillows 

 and mattresses and set them on edge. Open closet doors, dresser 

 drawers, chests, and trunks. Open books and spread them out. 

 In short, make it possible for the fumes to reach every part of 

 everything in the room. 



Now place an ordinary wood or fiber washtub in the center of 

 the room. In the middle of the tub put two bricks on edge as 

 a base for a large bucket. 



Before proceeding to fumigate, moisten the air of the room 

 thoroughly by boiling water in the room, by dropping hot bricks 

 into warm water, or by using an atomizer. The first method is 

 the most effective. Remember that a moist atmosphere is essential 

 to effective fumigation. The cloudier the room becomes with 

 moisture the better. 



When the room is ready, spread 10 ounces of potassium per- 

 manganate (the needle-like crystals, not the rhomboid crystals 

 nor the dust) evenly over the bottom of a 14-quart bucket having 

 rolled, not soldered, seams. Put enough boiling water into the tub 

 to reach almost but not quite to the top of the bricks. Put the 

 bucket on the bricks in the center of the tub. Pour into the bucket 

 24 ounces of formaldehyde solution. The reaction between the 

 potassium permanganate and the formaldehyde solution is very 

 rapid and formaldehyde is liberated in great quantities. Be sure, 

 therefore, that everything is in readiness for you to beat a hasty 

 retreat and to seal the door of exit, before you pour in the formalde- 

 hyde solution. Leave the room sealed for six hours. 



Be careful in handling the potassium permanganate. It is likely 

 to stain anything with which it comes in contact. The effervescent 

 action is so violent when the formaldehyde solution is poured on 

 the potassium permanganate that the bucket must be fully as large 

 as indicated. If convenient, have it larger. 



The amount of chemicals indicated is sufficient to fumigate 

 a room 12X12X10. If the room is larger, provide more tubs and 

 buckets. Do not increase the amount of the chemicals for 

 a single bucket. This process can be depended upon. Not all 

 the fumigating candles and advertised apparatus are so reliable. 



