476 
Combating Lousiness 
An attempt has therefore been made to state how many articles of 
a given kind should be introduced into a disinfector, and certain articles 
have been reckoned as equivalent to others in determining the load. 
Thus Lelean regards (a) a blanket, (b) a greatcoat, (c) a tunic and 
trousers, and (d) underclothes and puttees as equivalent units in measur¬ 
ing the load. There is, however, an inherent fallacy in such reckoned 
“equivalents” depending, as I would point out, upon the structure of 
the disinfector and the possibility of packing the objects introduced to 
the best advantage in respect to the available space. The equivalents 
that hold for one machine do not hold for another, therefore it is im¬ 
possible to lay down any general rule. This accounts for what appear to 
be discrepancies in the statements made regarding the number of articles 
with which different disinfectors are capable of dealing. In the one case 
1 greatcoat = 1 tunic and trousers, in the other 3 greatcoats = 5 tunics 
and trousers, or again the ratio of blankets to kits (exclusive of great¬ 
coats) is variously given as 2 : 1, 3 : 2, or 4 : 3, etc. Again, the number 
and character of the effects comprised in a soldier’s kit necessarily vary 
according to season and other circumstances 1 . 
The correct load for a disinfector is that load which can be adequately 
treated effectively at a minimum of time, cost and labour and which 
gives the maximum turnover at the end of a day’s work. The correct 
load can only be determined by an operator as the result of experience. 
The facts previously stated should be kept in mind when considering 
the particulars detailed in the following tables regarding the working 
capacity, etc. of different disinfectors employed in the present war. 
Further particulars regarding the working capacity of different 
Disinfectors. 
Lelean (1917, p. 202) defines a soldier’s kit as consisting (for purposes 
of disinfection) of a greatcoat, tunic and trousers, underclothes and 
puttees, and 2 blankets; these articles collectively being reckoned as 
equivalent to 5 blankets. Assuming that it takes 45 minutes to load, 
disinfect, and unload the effects, he tabulates his calculations as follows: 
Steam Disinfection. 
Serbian barrels (60 gallons capacity) .. 
Kits including 
greatcoats 
per hour 
2 
Blankets 
pe&- charge per hour 
7 10* 
Number of dis¬ 
infectors needed 
per Division 
80 
Field sterilizing bos 
4 
12 
20* 
40 
Thresh (small portable type) ... 
10 
38 
50 
60 
Train (2 trucks, each 18 ft. long) 
150 
450 
600 
1 
* Proportion increased by saving 5 minutes in loading and unloading the disinfector. 
1 Uhlenhuth (1915, p. 533) states that he had to deal with Russian prisoners wearing 
no less than 3 shirts, 2 pairs of drawers and 3 pairs of socks. 
