Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1893 — How to Fumigate a Room. [ARTICLE]

How to Fumigate a Room.

The proper way to fumigate a room is to close the doors, windows, tireplace, etc., pasting strips of paper over all the cracks. Fumigation by burning sulphur is most easily accomplished. Two pounds of sulphur should he allowed for every room from ten to twelve feet square. It is better to divide it up and put it in several pans, rather than burn the entire quantity of sulphur used in one pan. To avoid the danger of fire, these pans should be set on bricks, or in other and larger pans filled with water or with sand. After pouringa little alcohol on thesulphur and properly placing the pans about the room, the furthest from the door of exit should be lighted first; the others in order. The operator will need to move quickly, for no one can breathe sulphurous flames with safety. After closing the door, the cracks around it should be pasted up, as was done within the room. Six hours at least is generally necessary to fumigate a room properly; at the end of that time it may be entered and the windows opened; and they should be left open as long as is convenient, even for a week if possible. After fumigation, a thorough process of cleaning should be instituted. At least the walls and ceiling should be rubbed dry; much the better way is to whitewash and re-paper. The floor and the woodwork and the furniture should be scrubbed with a solution of carbolic acid or some other disinfectant.