The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-04-12

thdt even II the fabric OF the faceplece should De
pierced, the soldier would still be breathing en-
tirely through his mouth
For every mask made there 10 at least one a.
ira canister These canisters ere detachable from
the tube. When Z canister has lost It's efficiency,
It can be detached and a canister put on
About the first thing a soldier wants to know
about a gas mask Is how much protection 1t af
fords him. The best answer to this question IL
that the present American mask affords more pro-
lection than any device in existence. The chem
icals In the canister will neutralize the heaviest
concentrations Of gases for a period at least ten
times longer than the possible duration Of any
gas attack.
In every knapsack 10 a record card, on which
each soldier must enter the time that his mask
has been exposed to gas. This record. combined
with subsequent examination, makes 1t possible to
Judge accurately when there is any danger Of the
chemical being out. Before that point IL
reached a new mask is issued
While the main function of the field supply sec
ton is to supply gas masks, 1t Is also responsible
for the supply Of all other gas-defense equipment
This includes masks for horses, which consist Of
several layers Of fabric which impregnated
with neutralzing chemicals. Trench aapper
fans must also be supplied in considerable num-
Der. Oxygen inhaers and oxygen bottles for use
In field and base hospitals also supplied In
large numbers Instruments for the detection Of
gas and the spreading of gas alarms are necessary
These consist Of horns, rattles and special detect
ing devices.
]
In which the psychological element is more impor
tant than In connection with gas. Gases un-
canny to the unframed man. Every soldier must
be made to understand that there Is no protection
except the gas mask and he must believe in the
value of his equipment He must realize that the
equipment itself Will not do the work unless he is
skilful In adjusting 1t quickly and being accus-
toned to wear it without feeling hampered.
Reports Of gas attacks show that the casualties
are caused, not much by defective masks by
lack Of training. Here excerpts from oficial
reports from the western front, giving reasons for
gas casualties:
"Officers and men sleeping In dugouts without
having their masks attached to them, being
caught away from their dugouts without their
Masks
Men in support trenches not getting the warn
ing in time"
sequent difficulty in getting them out and putting
them on quickly"
Men thinking that gas was gone and taking
their masks on
Since casualties like these occur every time a
gas attack is made, 1t is obvious that simply to
provide troops with gas masks Is not enough
They must be drilled until they feel their respra-
tors a part Of their dress-more necessary
than a pair Of Shoes for they must never depart
from them.
They must learn to give the alarm instinctvely
and to have such confidence In their masks that
under no circumstances will they take them OF.
This means stiff military discipline. It neces-
states training that is different from anything
that attempted, since It deals with
weapon that is noiseless and sometimes invisible.
1t Is the work Of the field training section Of
the gas-defense service to bring home to the Amer
lean soldiers the importance Of his gas mask, to
drill him In It's use and to inspire confidence in its
efficacy.
The eas defense schools at all camps provide
training In the theory and practice Of gas de-
fense.
Az in all other elements Of warfare. the prin.
ciples Of defense can BE- comprehended only
through q knowledge Of offensive tactics
In training troops, conditions are created In the
neld which resemble a. nearly ~ possible actual
conditions encountered at the front The stu
dent learns to get his mask on In hurry, six SEC
onds being the standard time whsa ths hmapsack