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US Army Model 142 insecticide duster for delousing concentration camp survivors and soldiers
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
United States Army issued handheld insecticide dusting gun, Model 142, of the type used by US troops to delouse concentration camp survivors after liberation in 1945. The standard issued material used by the US Army for louse control was 10% DDT powder. Louse powder was placed in the canister and released through a pressurized hose. Air passes through the canister and the air tube tip when the control is pushed down. The powder was blown between the underwear and the skin, down the neck of the shirt, up the sleeves and into the trousers in as many directions as possible.
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Details
- Title: US Army Model 142 insecticide duster for delousing concentration camp survivors and soldiers
- Location: United States--Armed Forces--Sanitary affairs.
- Provenance: The insecticide duster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004 by Kenneth H. Posey, ex officio, for the United States Department of Agriculture ARS Medical and Veterinary Entomology Research Lab.
- Subject Keywords: Concentration camp inmates--Health and hygiene. Military hygiene--United States--History--20th century. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Health aspects.
- Type: Tools and Equipment
- Rights: Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Green painted, silver colored, metal canister with a vertical seam and circular screw top lid. Attached to the lid top is a flat, metal bar with arched ends. Attached to the lid interior is a curved, semi-oval perforated metal filter. A tubelike spray nozzle is soldered to the top of the canister and extends over the lid. At the flat end of the canister is a cylindrical handle with a flat triangular base. An air tube extends from the canister and inserts into an opening near the upper edge of the handle base. It has a pointed tip to release air. There is a rod with a metal spring and circular end button which, when pressed down, releases air into the attached metal air tube that extends through a hole on the lower edge of the handle. The canister has paint loss, scratches, corrosion and adhesive residue from previously attached labels. It is missing the pressurized hose attachment.
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