The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-06-30
NO.27.
Clearing a House of Rats.

A chemical friend of ours has recently
detailed to US the following account of 8
novel, amusing, and at the same tine ef.
fectual, plan adopted by bin for freeing
his house from these most unwelcome VS.
/ itors-the rats. The house be occupied
in Boston was one of block. and whe1
first tenanted was comparatively free from
the intruders in question. After time,
however. for some unknown reason, they
appeared at once in great numbers
They occupied every room and closet
marauded in the cellar, gallopaded in the
garret, and danced jigs nightly over eVe-
ry sleeping apartment, or rolled nuts for
their amusements, a Ia ten pins Every
expedlent thought Of was adopted for les
SEEMING their numb bers, but without effect.
Traps availed nothiDg,--the rats were
old and wise,-poison bad no temptations
cats were de6ed. At last our friend be-
thought himself ofsummoning the powers
of chemistry to bis aid, which be did as
folows:--Raising small board in the
garrett floor, he opened communication
between the floor aud ceiling beneath
which interior communicated with the
spaces between the side walls and the
latbs and plaster over the whole house.
Into this opening be placed dish con-
tanning finely puverised black oxide Of
manganese, aud poured over it suitable
quantity of strong hydrocblorie (muratic(
acid. The effect OF the chemical mixture
Of black oxide of manganese and hydro
cboric acid is to disenage slowly in the
cold that most powerful, deodorizing, fu-
migating gas, chlorine In common with
all gases, it gradually difuses itself
through the air, but having a greater
weight than atmospheric air it accuuu-
lates at the lowest levels. The tendency
of the gas liberated, therefore, was to
penetrate every vacant space between the
walls and ceiling, and at last foDnd exit
iD the cellar.
1t may be here stated that the quantity
of gas so liberated can exert DO injurious
effect upon the house or its inmates--in-
deed the result is rather beneficial than
otherwise upon the general health. In
the case in question, the odor was not
noticed to any extent in the body OF the
house, but after while was very per-
ceptibe in the cellars. In concentra!
ted condition, chlorine it is well-known,
is most offensive. irrespirable and de-
structive of animal life. It, at the same
time, neutralizes and destroys all other
odors and infectious matters.
To return, however, 20 the rats. The
chemical arrangement described had not
been long in operation, when it became
evident that something unusual was oc-
curing in ratdom. Meetings were aP-
parently being held iu hot haste, snd
messengers were despatched to and fro.
''All night long. it would seem," says the
Gas if Bedlam bad broken loose
between the partitions of my house. The
inhabitants were not only decaUping, bus
we're carrying their plunder and house
hold goods along with them" Towards
morning, however, all had became quiet
the rats had vamosed. bfg and little;
and for period of nearly three months
not one was heard or seen on the premi-
'es. Now they ure gradually returningj
but as soon as they become troublesome
another invitation to leave will be EXTEND
,d.-Earns Journal.