Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 50.djvu/368

352 is double jacketed, and protected by asbestos-magnesia covering. The operations of the chamber are controlled by means of a Foster valve.

The interior of the disinfecting chamber has fixed rails for the car to run upon, and is also fitted with a shield to protect the contents of the car from damage by condensed moisture. All water formed on the roof of the chamber drops from the shield into a receiving pan, and can be drawn off from there by a separate connection. The clothing treated is not injured in any way.

The discharging end of the car opens into the room where the health officer controls the disinfecting system. This end is fitted with a door similar to the one already described. In operating the chamber, one door is closed first, and steam admitted to the jacket, and as much air expelled by expansion as possible before the second door is closed. Then the air is exhausted and the vacuum process effects a thorough disinfection.

The vacuum is produced by the siphon process: steam under high pressure is driven across the end of a tube leading into the interior of the disinfecting chamber. This tube is fitted with valves and cocks. The jacket of the disinfecting chamber is fitted with separate valves and cocks, and the temperature can be raised, if desired, without admitting steam to the interior of the disinfecting chamber.

The Wadsworth has but one boiler, but that is large for the size of the boat. It supplies steam power to work the entire disinfecting system, as well as the power to run the boat's engines. The top of the dome of the boiler is fitted with a pipe leading to an extra dome; this is the reservoir that supplies the