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The machine at Wari Bunder required the same establishment and
stores, being of the same type and construction in all respects, except
that it was mounted on wheels. A third disinfector was constructed to
the orders of the Committee by a local firm, Messrs. Richardson &
Cruddas, at a cost of Rs. 2,200, and was installed at the Nairelwadi
Camp.
A fourth, viz., an equifex horizontal disinfecting stove, of the
Genishe and Heischer Patent, was placed at the disposal of the
Committee by the Surgeon-General with the Government of Bombay,
and was erected at the Byculla Camp, but was soon again removed to
Karachi on the reappearance of Plague at that port.
As it was not possible to provide each of the remaining camps with a
steam disinfector, the following arrangements were made for dealing with
the kit of persons sent to camps in which no steriliser was at work:-
The kit of each person was overhauled, and such articles of wearing
apparel as would not take harm by being steamed in the steriliser, and all
bedding, was packed into a numbered bag and securely tied and sealed
with a small lead seal in the presence of the owner; a token stamped with
the same number as that on the bag was then given to the owner of the
kit, and the bag was sent to the nearest disinfecting yard, disinfected
and returned to the owner without being opened. This arrangement was
viewed with great favour by the people who were satisfied that they
would get their belongings returned to them intact. At the same time the
ordinary camp establishments found the packing, lacing, and sealing
somewhat elaborate, and the system was regularly carried out only in
the Kennedy Seaface and Goculdas Camps under Major Ross.
Disinfector's
action.
The first condition of a good steriliser is that it should withdraw
the air from the innermost recesses of bulky articles under treatment.
The mere admission of compressed steam forces the air into these with-
out withdrawing it, in consequence of which the steam is prevented
from entering to any depth.
In the equifex, perfect steam permeation is effected by cutting off
the steam supply to the inner chamber after the requisite pressure has
been exercised for a short time, and then causing a certain reduction in
pressure by the quick discharge of a portion of the contained steam.
Hence, a sudden expansion and withdrawal of the compressed air
in the inner folds of the articles, and its discharge into the atmosphere
with the steam. After three or four repetitions, it is found that