New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-05-22
.Zz1REDS GASSED
f:*lEADLY FUMES
s&Ye Lives Of Ham.
e Citizens
MANY PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS
Death May Take Then 4 Week From
To-day as Effects Are Not Fatal
For Some Time-League of Na-
tions Many Conduct Inquiry.

Hamburg, Germany. May % LF-
The cloud of phosCene, one Of the
deadliest of the war gases, which
hung over Hamburg and claimed II
lives has been disspated. but its
menace still fingered today.
200 In Hospitals
More than 200 persons we're in
hospitals suffering from phosgene
poisoning and efforts we're being
made to save their lives. The au-
thorities said many of these patients
might die since the gas sometimes
did not have fatal effects until
week after it was inhaled. A con-
tent of only half gram to a cubic
meter of air is sufficient to cause
death.
All available milk in the city was
requisitioned to serve as antidotes
at the hospitals for those stricken.
There were SO persons in Hamburg
hospitals, about 100 others at VIII
helmsburg and 80 at Harbure. Phos-
gene poisoning causes a purulent in
ilammation of the lungs and, in cases
where CONSCIOUSNESS is retained,
Death comes after horrible suffer
ngs,
Cattle Lie Dead
Cattle lay dead in the fields,
chickens and ducks in the farm
yards and dogs and cats in the city
streets-mute evidence of the ter
rible ueath which crept through the
Slnnninc rif
growing crops shriveled as the silent
destroyer spread.
Families Return
Three hundred and fifty families
driven from their homes in terror
OF deaths silent approach were per-
mitted to return when the authori-
ties were convinced that the gas had
been dissipated by wind and rain.
They returned apprehensively. They
shuddered as they reelected upon
their close escape from death and
upon the terrible sufferings which
might be inflicted upon . Defense
less people by gas bombs dropped
from airplanes in time of war.
AS they watched experts from
beliiH ieHtoNe tIle pnOS&ene con-
tainers from the neighborhood Of
the city. the people advocated that
the storage of deadly gases near
urban communities be prohibited.
They demanded the providing of an
adequate supply of gas masks. ac-
cessible for public use at any time.
Cause Not known
The exact cause Of the tragedy
was not established. The gas was
in containers in the free port section
of the city when a tank containing
eight cubic meters (eSc cubic feet)
burst. The lid was forced OF and a
section of the corrugated iron roof
ing was torn of the building. Ex-
perts thought the explosion due to
warm atmosphere as phosgene
Naporizes at a relatively low temper.
ature.
Once free, ftful breezes carried
the vapor back and forth across the
district killing alike man and ami.
NAL who chanced to be in its path.
Two brothers peacefully fishing on
the banks of a canal near the leak
ING tank dropped unconscious.
A Panic
A shift in the wind carried the
gas to pleasure resort where men.
women and children, among them a
wedding party. were making merry.
Some fell unconscious from their
chairs which we're grouped about
the table set for the feast. Promen-
aders dropped in terrible agony.
Soon the cry poison gas" arose and
panic reigned'
Word OF the disaster spread. the
entire section of the city near the
tanks was terror stricken Police
and troops herded the populace in
to the emigrant sheds of the part.
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