Viewing page 24 of 55

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

3

when difficult questions are proposed for immediate reply.
 
As soon as this classified entry is made the material is sent to the poisoning department where it is subjected to a close scrutiny and treatment. The curator has devoted much time to this subject for it is encumbered with many difficulties. It is safe to suppose that every destructible specimen which comes into a museum is infested with the eggs or larvae of moth, dermestis, or other museum pests. The problems to solve at the outset are these:

1. To destroy the eggs and larvae.
2. To preserve in so doing the color and softness of the texture of fabrics, skins, and furs. 
3. To prevent attacks of insect enemies in the future.
4. To reduce the danger to the curator and others to the lowest amount.
In this department the curator has been greatly aided by the studies of Mr. Walter Hough. The work of

Transcription Notes:
poisoning is correct. They were putting arsenic, etc. on the artifacts as a form of pest control.