Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-04

lHSIluut lnB COUulllOn VI thCtSslNe uly
ness in the articles to be treated. Then
all is ready for the hot air process.
This latter Is the system for disinfec-
ton now adopted everywhere. Hot air,
heated to very high degree is the only
reliable condition for killing germs.
Cold will not do nor will superheated
steam to such perfection as hot air.
There is thermometer on the door
of the chamber which registers the heat.
Its figures indicate from 1902 10 5000,
The surgeons say 212o is sufficient, but
they generally run 1t mp to 2l7' SO us TO
make assurance doubly sure.
When the goods are brought out
again every article is perfectly dry and
not in the least injured. Under the old
steaming system they were wrilging
wet The surgeons say that following
the disinfecting process no faint or odor
is noticeable on the articles treated but
slight laundry smell.
TO DIsINFECT SHIPS.
Alongside the hot air chamber, in the
same apartment, is the ship disinfecting
apparatus. This is simply an immense
dry furnace. On the large pan the sui
phur fumes are cooked up. A half-bar-
rel of sulphur is tieed at time. These
pass, by an extended system of pipes
alongside the wharf. The end of the
hose is passed into the hold, and every
thing being tightly battened down, the
fumes are turned in. II is driven by
big Sturtevant engine, which forces the
fumes into every Granny and corner of
the ships hold. The cabins and every
part of the vessel are treated in the same
way.
The hot air chamber measures in the
interior 15x7 feet
There is no danger from any pos
sibility of infected goods passing the
contagton, during the process, to Reedy
Island as there is waterway of at least
500 feet between the buildings Just de.
scribei and the island. Then again back
of the island and the main land there is
another channel.
There are no wells of any kind on
Reedy Island, the hospital staff usually
gets its drinking water from this city.
One of the surgeons stated yesterday
that it is very probable the government
will drive an artesian well somewhere
on the island to supply the needs of the
station.
Some additional work is now being
done in strengthening the piling and
ice-breakers. A Philadelphia firm has
the contract. When all the work at
present contemplated is finished there
will have been an outlay expended of
about $4,000. The intention is next
spring to build brick residences On the
island or on the shore extension of the
pier for the surgical staff and for the men.
1t is understood, also, that there is Il
proposition to join the pier with the
island and to run track along it.
Quite number of vessels have been
disinfected since last June. Among
them were ships from Russian and
| South American ports. Vessels from
the south, during the Brunswick yellow
fever troubles, last fall, were subjected
to the process.
| On the top of the central building is
big tank with capacity Of from 5000
to 10000 gallons, from which the vessels
are treated with bi-chloride solution
after the sulphur process. Salt water is
used here as its iodine aids in quicker
solution of the bi-chloride.
In the warehouse, or as Il is also
called, the storehouse, was noticed one
of Drein, the Wilmington builders
boats.
DIR. Glennan thinks highly of it. His
remark was sit is little dandy. She is
the best boat l was ever in for all kinds
of weather."
The latter official states that high
60-foot observing tower is to be erected
on top of the building, similar to those
at Marcus Hook and New Castle.
There is a very cosy reception room
at the station which at present has to do
for Office and dining-room as well.
There is telegraph apparatus just put
in. The wire runs to Port Penn, then
by Western Union to Middletown and
to Philadelphia. Operator Heal from
Marcus Hook, it is expected will be per-
manently stationed at Reedy Island next
week.
There are two pets at the officers
| quarters, agray and green parrot. They
are the only amenities discoverable at
the semi-marine abode, The birds are
not vicious in manners nor address
which fact speaks well both for officers
and men.
VISITORS DINNER RATIoNs.
The hospitable physicians were deter
mined that their guests should know
everything in regard to matters at the
Hospital Marine Station so after the gen.
eral inspection the visitors were invited
to dinner served up from the regular
substantial rations doled out by the SER
vice.
A Reedy Island appetite is something
worth experiencing and next to il is
the delightful cooking from the hands
Of one of Uncle Sans sailors. They
know exactly how to serve up q steak
and a ham. With other substantial
comestibles, no frills but everything on
the table inviting and toothsome, the
visitors did the amplest justice to the
good things set before them.
Following the dessert with coffee and
cigars there was delightfully."- social
experience when the State Board of
Health, Wilmington Board of Health
and the United States Hospital Marine
Service interchanged Fluctuations and
came to most friendly understanding
of the general intentions of all parties
to work for the public good alone. The
theory of Federal governing and
direction of national sanitary matters
was conceded as the only plan for ulti-
mate success. Did each State act indie
pendently the great value Of the present
system would be dissipated and lost.
The expressions of the Federal, State
and city officials were warmly endorsed
by all.
After dinner the boarding officer, DIR.
Mcdowell, invited the party on board
the steamer Foster to accompany him
on visit to vessel which had just
been hailed and which it was necessary
for the physician to inspect.