No. 4.] RATS AND RAT RIDDANCE. 237 



and bromide of potassium. Keep patient warm and quiet; 

 administer strong tea. Give artificial respiration. (Reference 

 Handbook of Medical Sciences.)' 



Barium carbonate: the antidote is any soluble sulphate, such 

 as Epsom salts, Glauber's salt or alum. This should com- 

 pletely neutralize the poison. (Henry Leffmann.) 



In any case of poisoning, a physician should be called as soon 

 as possible. 



Rat Deodorants. 



Rats sometimes die within the walls of a dwelling whether 

 poisoned or not, and the resulting odor is, to say the least, 

 unsuited to the domicile of civilized man. 



A compound of zinc and chlorine, commonly known as 

 chloride of zinc, which has had a reputation for many years as 

 a deodorant, antiseptic and germicide, may be useful at such a 

 time. While the value of this compound may not be great for 

 the two latter purposes it is effective in deodorizing. It is 

 "capable of combining with hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and 

 other offensive products of putrefaction, and forming com- 

 pounds that are comparatively odorless."^ It is more effective 

 in neutralizing animal than vegetable odors. "Pickett" says 

 that the following will purify the air in any room: "In one 

 pint of boiling water dissolve half a dram of nitrate of lead; 

 now dissolve two drams of common salt in a bucketful of cold 

 water, then mix the two; dip a good-sized cloth in it and hang 

 in the room." ^ No deodorants have been tested by the Massa- 

 chusetts State Board of Agriculture, but in case of necessity 

 either of the above may prove satisfactory. 



Rat Fumigation. 

 Carbon Bisulphide in the Burrows. — For killing rats by 

 wholesale in their holes in the ground, in ditch banks, dikes, 

 river banks, levees, shores or dams, carbon bisulphide is the 

 best agent known.^ Unlike traps and poisons it does not require 

 the co-operation of the rat. Carbon bisulphide is sold as 

 liquid but quickly takes a gaseous form when liberated. It is 



1 McClintic, T. B., Treas. Dept., Public Health Service of the U. S. Hygienic Laboratory, 

 Bull. 22, May, 1905, p. 11. 



2 How to rid Buildings and Farms of Rats and Other Pests of Like Character, 1891, p. 9. 

 ' Carbon bisulphide and carbon disulphide are identical. 



