20 



BULLETIN" 872, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



they retard the action of the acid upon the cyanid. Where larger 

 doses must be carried old bran sacks may be used for the cyanid. 



Protection against burns and charring. — Persons engaged in fumi- 

 gation according to the method described in this bulletin invariably 

 receive slight injuries to their clothing in the form of acid burns 

 due to spattering and dripping of acid. Only the oldest clothing 

 should be worn. A saturated solution of common washing soda 

 crystals (sodium carbonate) should be at hand ready to apply to 

 hands, face, or floor to neutralize acid spatterings that may occur. 

 When acid is purchased in iron drums a sufficient number of 5 to 

 10 gallon glass carboys in the usual wooden frames to hold all acid 



Fig. 12. — Diagram showing " stringing method " used in generating hydrocyanic-acid 

 gas. The number of generators connpcted with the main cord may vary to fit the need 

 of individual cases. (Chittenden.) 



needed for the fumigation, should be provided to hasten the meas- 

 uring of the acid. To guard against injury to the mill flooring, the 

 acid should be measured outside the mill; or if this work is done 

 within the mill old sacks and sawdust should be used liberally to 

 prevent any acid spilled during the work from damaging the floor. 

 Provision for ventilating rooms after fumigation. — Care should be 

 taken to provide for the ventilation of rooms or buildings after fumi- 

 gation. It is dangerous to enter rooms to open windows from within 

 although experienced fumigators often take such risks. Ingenuity 

 can be depended upon to discover a way to open windows, transoms, 

 or skylights from the outside by means of cords or wires. 



