    # File lib/mongrel.rb, line 211
        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 |worker|
              worker[:started_on] = Time.now if not worker[:started_on]

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

          return @workers.list.length
        end