Since chemical munitions often include burst charges, such injuries may occur as part of a chemical agent attack. They may also be present when the chemical injury and conventional injury occur at different times. Other types of mixed casualties may be from nuclear or biological weapons used as well as the chemical weapons. As in World War I, the differential diagnosis between the CSR casualties and chemical casualties may sometimes be difficult. Atropine, for instance, causes decreased heat tolerance at a dose of 1 mg.
Higher doses can cause tachycardia, dryness of the mouth, and decreased sweating.
Medical personnel must be aware of the side effects of available antidotes and be alert for their appearance. Wearing the mask also makes water intake very difficult. Recognize Chemical Casualties a. Any individual who suddenly becomes a casualty without being wounded or who is suffering a greater degree of incapacitation than is compatible with his wound should be considered a possible chemical casualty. The differential diagnosis will include the possibility of psychiatric casualties.