CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12] — Page 245

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16 DEC 08

Hon. Colonial Secretary,

The Fumigating and Disinfecting Bureau,

Limited, owns a Clayton Fumigating Machine, but as it has been only used once they are unable to give any information regarding

its efficiency.

In answer to a request, the Hon. Mr. Hewett states: "I believe Messrs. Butterfield and Swire had a "Clayton's Fumigating apparatus at one time but I do not know "if they ever used it. In any case they do not possess one now. "Personally I do not think such an apparatus would be of much,

*if any,

use, as the modern passenger steamer cannot be closed *up and fumigated as a tramp or old fashioned vessel might be".

Interesting results of experiments with

are

this machine carried out by Capt. T. H. Gloster, I.M.S., given in the report of the Bombay Bacteriological Laboratory for the year 1907. These show that it is, financially impractic- -able to use these machines for disinfection of houses. Rats confined in an open room and not allowed to move about freely are readily killed, but they will not be killed if afforded shelter by burrows. It is also comparatively difficult to kill fleas by means of Clayton Gas, especially when they are found on

earthen floors.

13th. November, 1908.

(Sa.) C. McI, Masser,

Head, S.D.

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