# File lib/mongrel.rb, line 627
    def reap_dead_workers(reason='unknown')
      if @workers.list.length > 0
        STDERR.puts "#{Time.now}: Reaping #{@workers.list.length} threads for slow workers because of '#{reason}'"
        error_msg = "Mongrel timed out this thread: #{reason}"
        mark = Time.now
        @workers.list.each do |w|
          w[:started_on] = Time.now if not w[:started_on]

          if mark - w[:started_on] > @death_time + @timeout
            STDERR.puts "Thread #{w.inspect} is too old, killing."
            w.raise(TimeoutError.new(error_msg))
          end
        end
      end

      return @workers.list.length
    end