The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-16
POLICE TURN TO
GAS FOR WAR
ON CRIMINALS
'CN' Produces Weakening
Effect on Hardened
Mob Members.
BY Science Scrrjce

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16-More
and more the police Of the nation
are turning to the use OF gas at
tacks to tame desperadoes, break up
strike disturbances and quell riots
What manner of gas is it that
makes strong men cry like babies
and retreat, rubbing their eyes,
where all means except direct rifle
fire have failed?
Tear gas and other vapors with
still more disagreeable effects than
crying are the answer. There is ON,
for example.
ON is the army's designation for
what chemists calls chlo-ra- cet-o-
pre-nono. 1t is the tear gas de-
veloped during the closing days OF
the World war which never attained
commercial production in time for
use during the conflict.
ON, the tear gas, is not to be
confused with a liquid disinfecting
preparation of the same name sold
commercially, having totally differ
ent properties.
Irritates Eyes
A solid substance, chlorocetophe-
none turns into a light blush, almost
invisible gas when heated In &C
tual use in bombs it is mixed with
a small amount of smokeleSS pow
der which burns when the fuse is
drawn. The burning turns the solid
into VapOr and yet is insufficient
to explode the grenade while the
heat generated is hardly enough to
ignite paper. The ON gas pourS
from openings with instantly irri-
tating effect on the eyes.
Intense Smarting and a profusion
of tears occur that render the vic
tim incapable Of further thoughts
of combat. From a peacetime view
point the gas is desirable, for per-
manent harm is not inflicted by
the gas.
ON, however, has its handiCaps.
It is a so-called nonperSiStent type
of gas, quickly dispelled by winds
so that rioters can return to the
scene of the combat.
Whit Produces Nausea
The gas known as DIN does bet
ter for really tough" situation.
DIM stands for the di-phenyl-
amine-chlor -ar-ine of the chemists.
To one who breatheS it there comes
a feeling of irritation to the lungs,
nose and throat. A good whit"
leads to violent nausea, vomiting
and severe headache. AS an added
pleasure" there is feeling of Suf-
location often likened to several
men standing on the chest.
Despite these violent symptoms
DIM is not lastingly harmful. Per-
sons who have suffered a good Sc
we're dose, however, will not shortly
return for more.
Combine ON and DIN and one has
the common knockout gas pro-
ducing in victims the resultant eff
feet of both types of gas.
Prevents Retrieving Bomb
Recent developments in the art
removed the old trouble of having
daring bandit or Rotor pick up
the bomb and heave it back at the
police. Some types go off with con-
tact on the ground; others burst
without flying fragments.
ON, the tear gas, is widely used
by the U. S. army in training troops
in the use of gas masks. For this
purpose it has the desirable quality
of placing the troops in vapor
where they will really know 1t, if
the proper speed of placing the
mask is not attained. Yet, at the
same time, no serious permanent
harm results if carelessness occurs.
Tear, knockout" and other gases
are now available either for de-
Tense at short range as in a holdup
or bank robbery; or with suitable
small guns can be hurled with
considerable accuracy $50 yards.
Offense tactics are thus possible
for police or national guard units
on strike duty.
Effectively Quells Mob
/ From the psychological side of
riots and strikes it is matter of
opinion whether the additional use
Of smoke grenades is helpful. A
wall of smoke that may potentially
contain tear gas often, by its very
appearance, quells an unruly mob
Police are gradually developing
tactics combining smoke and gas
paralleling in efficiency those used
by troops in wartime. The work is
all part of the program to achieve
safety and protection without re-
course to bloodshed.
Treatment for ON tear gas) is as
follows:
Remove from gassed area. Do
NOT rub eyes, especially with own
hands or clothing, as they may be
contaminated with the gas. If pos
sible, face the wind and let moving
air help blow gas from eyes Wash
eyes with a saturated solution of
boric acid. Wash contaminated
parts of body with soap and water
to remove gas.
Treatment for DIN (nauseating or
vomiting gas follows:
Remove from gaSsed area. If
enough gas has been absorbed to
cause vomiting and its accompany
ing headache, give milk Of magnesia
freely. Remove gross gas with soap
and water.