Evening star., 1939-05-12
Lack Of Oxygen
For Pilots Seen
As Crash Cause
Military Medicine
Session Told of
Altitude Tests

Altitude Tests
Some Of the airplane crashes Of
the past year may have been caused
by a lack Of oxygen for pilots.
This possibility was developed to.
day before delegates OF IS nations
to the Tenth International Congress
of Military Medicine and Pharmacy
at the Willard Hotel, by 1t. Col.
Charles K. Berle, of Walter Reed
General Hospital.
Speaking before one of three diff.
ferent scientific sections of the Con.
gress, on the question of Oxygen
Therapy and Its Practical Use With
Troops on Active Duty" DR.. Berle
presented an extensive treatise on
the subject, looking to the benefit not
only of the military, but also the
civil population. Collaborating with
him in the matter had been First
1t. w. R. Lovelace, I'd, of the Med
ical Corps Reserve, U. S. A., who is
a fellow in surgery at the Mayo
Foundation, at Rochester, MINI. DR..
Lovelace now is abroad.
Reduces Efficiency.
Pointing out the dangers Of
"anoxenia," an abnormal condition
due to lack Of oxygen in the system.
Col. Berle reported the result of ex-
tensive tests on airplane pilots,
showing their reduced efficiency.
He declared that two of the in
vestigators, including 1t. Lovelace,
feel quite certain that some of the
airplane crashes during the past year
have been entirely the result of men,
tai retardation and confusion with
consequent inability to maintain a
course or to regain a course once
bearings were lost.
"Oficials conducting investiga-
tions into the cause of airplane
crashes" he declared, should always
give due consideration to the pos
sible part that anoxemia may have
had in causing the accident, and
they should investigate the efficiency
of the oxygen apparatus installed in
the plane"
Machine Shows Fatigue.
The tests of pilots on a machine
known as the link trainer for SIM
ulating flying conditions. disclosed,
DR.. Berle reported, that after 30
minutes to one hour at attitudes"
of $4,000 feet and higher the ma.
jority Of pilots complained of ia.
tigue and exhibited signs of tense.
ness. This was shown by "over.
controlling" the training machine.
There was also definite slowing Of
the mental processes, as shown by
the increased time it took to solve
the various orientation problems.
Three out of the 10 pilots tested
became lost" Col. Berle reported,
"one at $4,000 feet after 40 minutes,
one after one hour and As minutes at
$1,000 feet and were unable to de.
termine their position until they
were given oxygen"
The symptoms of anoxemia," DR..
Berle said. "are often compared to
those of alcoholic intoxication be-
cause Of their close similarity in
many respects. In both instances
the individual always is convinced
that he is rational, seldom lacks
confidence and soon loses his ca.
pacity for self f-criticism. Some in.
dividuals become euphoric, others
morose and still others pugnacioua
and unwilling to listen to advice.
When such individuals 20 up
without oxygen, remain at con-
siderable elevation for some time,
and then begin to take oxygen with
an efficient apparatus for the first
time, they are much surprised at
the sudden and dramatic increase in
their powers of perception and sen.
sation in general"
Inhalator Described.
A new apparatus for oxygen in
halation, in the development Of
which 1t. Lovelace had a prominent
part, was described by Col. Berle az
making possible the efficient, SIM
pie, comfortable. safe and econom-
ical administration of any desired
concentration of oxygen or mixtures
of oxygen and helium to patients
and for the proper administration
of oxygen to aviators."
The mask of this apparatus is de-
signed SO as to be an almost exact
anatomic counterpart of the under
lying body structure of that portion
of the face with which it is in con-
tact, so as not to interfere with
vision. The mouth is left free and
unobstructed for talking and drink
ing or eating. 1t is known as the
B. L. B. inhalation apparatus. and
was hailed as a boon not only to
aviators, but to the civilian sick in
need Of oxygen. In medicine, oxy.
gen therapy includes pneumonia, in
f1uenza, gassed cases and other
respiratory conditions.
A report on oxygen therapy de-
veloped by Maj. P. E. Clairbois Of
Belgium, was read to the gathering
by representative of that delega-
ton.
At another section of the scientific
program, the question of Practical
Procedures for Anesthesia and Anal
gesia in War Surgery" was discussed
by Maj. E. Marques Porto of Brazil,
and by Brig. Gen. Raymond F.. Met.
calfe and Comdr. Morton D. Will.
cults Of the United States.
At third section Of the congress,
the question Technical Specialize
ton Of Administrative Officers in the
Medical Service" was discussed by
Maj. Abelardo Leal Rodriguez and
Maj. Guilermo Suarez Torres Of
Mexico, and by 1t. Col. George c.
Dunham and Maj. Earle Standlee Of
the United States.
There was discussion Of all three
Of the principal questions before the
congress today.
Tomorrow delegates Of the con-
gress go to the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, where they will be guests
Of honor at a drill by the midship-
men. Sunday will be devoted to
sightseeing and on Monday morning
there will be discussion Of various