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fusible metal, an alloy of lead and bismuth, which melts at a temperature
of 300°. Directly this temperature is reached, the chain breaks, both
dampers fall, and the gas is turned off. Of course fire cannot go on in a
close chamber, so that it rapidly dies out without extending beyond tho
articles first ignited. This apparatus is in use at the Fever Hospital.
The authorities speak most highly of its performance. It requires very
little attention. The infected articles are placed in the chamber overnight,
and allowed to remain until the morning. The chamber is 5 feet by 5 feet
by 6 feet inside. The burners consume about 55 feet per hour, and the
price of the apparatus delivered is £125.
Messrs. Frazer's apparatus is the oldest and the most generally in use.
It is perfectly efficient, if well managed and carefully watched. It consists
of a brick or iron chamber, into which a truck, containing the infected
articles, is run. The iron doors are then closed, a furnace at the side of
the chamber is lighted, and the heat raised to about 250°. By an
ingenious arrangement of flues, the hot air is kept circulating through the
chamber, and before being allowed to escape, is led through the furnace
and burnt, so as to destroy every germ of infection. The apparatus is no
nuisance, and is perfectly safe if reasonable care be taken. It can be
managed by an ordinary labourer, but it has a certain disadvantage, which
is common to Frazer's and all others constructed upon similar principles.
The efficacy of the whole process depends upon the care of the attendant in
charge ; for unless he is constantly on the watch while the disinfection is
going on, the temperature rises too high, and the articles placed in the
chamber get scorched. After allowing this to happen two or three times,
and getting into trouble for it, the attendant finds the simplest plan is to
keep the temperature low, and the process degenerates into a farce. I am
told that articles have been returned to the owner as thoroughly disinfected
by this apparatus in which lice and bugs still remained alive. Now, a
temperature incapable of destroying these creatures would certainly not
kill the infection of Small Pox. The expense of a suitable Frazer's oven
for this parish would be about £150, exclusive of shed.
The last and best process is that of Super-heated Steam. This is used
in Mr. Washington Lyon's apparatus. The principle is that of introducing
steam into a close chamber, under regulated pressure. The apparatus is
made of iron (see illustration), shaped something like an ordinary steam
boiler, but having an outer casing or jacket (m), with a space between.
Into this space steam is admitted at a pressure of 25 lbs. on the square