>>>Blunt Object? Ed, I'm surprised. What would Raoul say? Wait a second. Let's consult The Book of Duke (2nd Edition).< flip, flip, flip > Ah, here...< scan, scan, scan > In Chapter 3, "Rendering People Unconsious" - Page 114, last paragraph he writes:
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>>>"Of the two methods discussed, "Blunt instrument to the base of the skull" versus "A rag soaked in ether", I find the latter to be a more desirable alternative. This is for several reasons. First, the former may break skin. When the victim colapses, this may leave nasty, difficult to remove blood stains on the carpeting. Second, one blow may not be sufficient to render the victim unconsious. Repeatedly have to perform this can lead to a case of painful carpal tunnel syndrome. In a worst case scenario, this can require surgery. However, the most compelling factor is legal. In many, backward, locations the use of either method can lead to a charge of assault. Using the "Blunt instrument..." method leaves telling evidence. A bump, a bruise, death. However, using the "Rag..." method, little danger of these results exists, especially if the victim fails to have the necessary medical analysis done immediately after "coming to".
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>>I've just had so much exposure to chemically induced anaesthesia recently, I thought it would be an interesting change-of-pace...But you're absolutely right, the blunt instrument approach is far less desirable if the carpet is not treated with ScotchGard. I bow to your superior industry expertise!
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>Mine? I pointed out the possibility of the carpet being ScotchGarded to Raoul. He said, that in such cases there usually isn't time to make the necessary examination to determine if it was or wasn't and he'd prefer to err on the side of caution.
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Poor Raoul he never notices the stains left on the carpet when he soaks them down with that stuff, and he's in big trouble if the house detective walks in and lights up a big old stogie with a match and tosses it on the carpet (whooosh!)

>>Never realized all the benefits of work for Shaw, did you?
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>< bg > Actually, if I recall correctly, Shaw was the first to be able to apply such treatment, working closely with 3M. I was working on the Coater at Plant 11 at the time (second shift). I think that the brand name we marketed it under at the time was "StainMaster".
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I thought StainMaster was duPont.

>Actually, Shaw has been a leader in innovation in carpet for years. The latest is carpet tile made completely of re-cycled material. It's called Ecoworx.
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When are they going to make carpeting out of recycled hemp leaves for use in college dormitories?

>>>FWIW, my favorite chapter is "Seducing A Lizard", but that's off-topic.:-)
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>>I'd say something, but it might bring back the bats...
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>I don't blame you. Even Raoul couldn't come to any firm conclusion in the chapter titled "Bats -- Friend or Foe?"

If nothing else, they're a mess to clean up after.