2 
Combating Lousiness 
I can find no other trustworthy records on the subject. Bacot 
and Gains experiments were carried out with accuracy under 
practical working conditions in a disinfestation hut, gas samples 
being periodically removed by Gair from the chamber and analyzed, 
the Clayton apparatus functioning continuously during the whole 
exposure period. Usually the percentage of S0 2 is estimated from 
the amount of S burnt per cubic space, according to statements 
commonly contained in text-books, but this procedure is fallacious 
in view of the occurrence of leakage of gas from the chamber, and the 
great amount of S0 2 that may combine with the clothing exposed. 
Gair found, when working with a Clayton apparatus, that it was 
most difficult to maintain the S0 2 % in the chamber at anything 
like uniformity, this in spite of the continuous supply which is 
absent when ordinary fumigation methods are employed. 
Injurious effects. When the clothes are damp they are injured by 
the process. S0 2 dissolves in water, sulphurous acid is formed and 
the latter attacks the fabrics. Sulphurous acid bleaches either by 
abstracting the oxygen from the colouring matter or by forming 
compounds with dyestuffs. Like other acids it injures wool, causes 
clothing to lose its wearing qualities, and tarnishes metal. When 
dry clothing and dry gas are employed the fabrics are stated to 
suffer no injury, but if soldiers put on recently treated clothes and 
go out into the damp or wet, sulphurous acid is formed and 
promptly exerts its injurious effect. Even when inhaled in small 
quantity S0 2 may produce bad symptoms in man. According to 
Haldane, about 6 % of the S consumed forms S0 3 giving H 2 S0 4 
with water. 
Long exposure required and smell retained in clothing. The length 
of exposure in the fumigation chamber under practical working 
conditions is given as 3 hrs (with 3 vols. %, Nocht and Halber- 
kann), 3 hrs (followed by 2 hrs airing before the clothes can be 
worn ; Galewsky’s experience with a Walther apparatus applied to 
Russian prisoners’ effects at Konigsbriick), 4 hrs (Hevmann), 8 hrs 
(with Clayton apparatus running continuously to maintain the S0 2 
at 3 %, Gair), 9 hrs (Adler-Herzmark, using a Grassberger appa¬ 
ratus), 12 hrs (Kuhn, burning sulphur in the chamber); refer also 
to the table preceding the two foregoing paragraphs. The smell 
emanating from treated clothing may persist for a week or more; 
this may be an advantage, however, assuming that it repels lice 
as has been asserted. 
