Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 489

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Appendix I.

Extermination of Plaque Bacilli in Vermin,

Honourable COLONIAL SECRETARY,

I should like to know how long bugs, fleas, spiders, &c., will live in a 5 per cent. solution of Jeyes' fluid. This affects the question of disinfection, for as the plague bacillus is found in these vermin it is evident that no disinfection that does not kill the vermin will reach the bacillus.

H. A. B.

14-7-03.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC MORTUARY, 14th August, 1903.

SIR, I have the honour to submit the following Report on the question as to how long bugs survive in a solution of Jeyes' Fluid, for the information of His Excellency the Governor. Attached is a detailed account of the experiments per- formed.

From these experiments I venture to draw the following conclusions :-

1. It is obvious that Jeyes' Fluid of such a concentration as used in Series

A and B is not of much practical value.

2. The killing power of Jeyes' Fluid as employed in Series C and D is

uncertain, even after 15 minutes.

3. If bugs are to be exterminated with certainty, it is apparent that the concentration of Jeyes' Fluid as employed in Series E and F must be used.

I have the honour to be

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

The Honourable

J. M. ATKINSON, M.B.,

Principal Civil Medical Officer,

$c.,

j'c.

WILLIAM HUNTER.

A.-SERIES.

THE ACTION OF JEYES' FLUID ON BUGS.

1 Part or 1 c.c. of Jeyes' Fluid in 100 c.c. of water.

Experiment No. 1.-2 bugs completely immersed for 1 minute.

After removal from the solution, the animals appeared to be dead.

After

5 minutes, however, movements of the legs began which were followed 10 minutes later by complete recovery of both animals.

Experiment No. 2.-2 bugs completely immersed for 2 minutes.

The same phenomena were observed as in Experiment No. 1. Complete

recovery of both animals followed in 15 minutes.

Experiment No. 3.-2 bugs completely immersed for 5 minutes.

The same phenomena were observed as before.

lively in about 15 minutes.

Both animals were quite