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US Army plunger-type insecticide duster for delousing concentration camp survivors and soldiers
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
United States Army issued hand pump insecticide duster 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 the spray nozzle when the hand pump was depressed. 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 plunger-type 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, 2 central horizontal indents, and a circular screw top lid and latching bottom lid. A metal pump rod with a cylindrical wooden handle is inserted through an opening on the screw lid center. A moveable metal bail handle is attached by 2 plates to the canister on the latch lid end. A cylindrical spray nozzle, missing the tip, is soldered to the canister and extends over the latch lid. The canister has paint loss, scratches, corrosion and adhesive label residue. The screw top lid was not opened for review.
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