Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1942-07-09
HOW no PROTECT YOURSELF
AGAINST GAS

The following information on war
gases is supplied for general pub
lication because of the possibility
that they may at some time be used
by the enemy. If people will re-
member a few simple facts, they
will have no unreasonable fear OF
this agent.
War gases stay close to the
ground, for they are heavier than
air. To get out of gassed area
simply walk against the wind or &c
upstairs.
Gas is irritating and annoying te
the eyes, nose, lungs, or to the
skin, but it is usually harmless II
you do not become panicy, but
promptly leave the gas area and
cleanse yourself. A soldier must
put on a mask where it is neces.
sary to remain in the contaminated
area, but a civilian can go up on
the second or third floor and liter
ally ignore it if the windows are
kept closed.
If the gas should get on your
skin, you can prevent 1t from do
ing much harm by sponging it of
as quickly as possible with a piece
of clothing, or a handkerchief, and
applying some neutralizing sub
stance. followed by thorough
bath, preferably a shower, with
common laundry soap and water.
If you are indoors, stay there
with doors and windows closed
and go up to the second or third
story. Stay out of easements
Turn off the air conditioning, stop
up fireplaces and other large open
ings.
Some gases are spread as oily
droplets which blister and harm
the skin and eyes. If you are out,
side when gas is used do not look
up. Tear off piece of clothing OF
use handkerchief to blot any
drops of liquid from your skin anc
throw the contaminated cloth away
Blot, do not rub, as rubbing will
spread the liquid Then go home
if it is nearby, or to the nearest
place where you can wash immed-
lately with soap and water and
cleanse yourself in the following
manner:
/. Remove all outer clothing
outside the house, since gas can be
transmitted to others from con
taminated clothing. Put it prefer
ably in a covered garbage pail.
2. Apply one Of the following
effective household remedies to the
part of your skin that has been
contaminated. Chlorox or similar
household bleach (for mustard)
peroxide of hydrogen (for Lewis
ite); paste solution of baking
soda if you have no peroxide or
bleach. If you do not know the
gas, use both peroxide and bleach.
Keep bleach and peroxide out of
the eyes. Do not waste time look
ing for these remedies; bathe inn
mediately if they are not at hand.
8. After entering the house,
wash the bleach or peroxide from
hands with laundry soap and water
and then wash the face. Remove
the underclothing, place it in a COW
cred garbage pail, and enter the
bathroom.
4. Irrigate the eyes with large
amounts of lukewarm 2 percent
solution of baking soda Zone table
spoonful to a quart of water), or
else plain water. Use an ordinary
irrigating douche bag or an eye
irrigator If you do not have these,
let plain warm water pour into
the eyes from the shower, washing
them thoroughly. Do not press or
rub the eyes.
5. Lastly, take a shower, using
laundry soap and hot water.
s. If the nose and throat feel
irritated, wash them out also with
baking soda solution.
7. If your chest feels heavy
and oppressed, if you have any
trouble breathing, Or if cigarette
smoke becomes distasteful, lie
down and stay perfectly still until
a doctor sees you
8. If blisters develop, be careful
not to break them and call a doctor.
Remember: Soldiers require
gas masks because they must re-
main in the contaminated area.
Civilians can get out of the gassed
area or get above the level of the
gas, where they do not need gas
masks OF protective clothing.
Injured persons, who are gassed,
require decentralization before
they can be admitted to hospitals.
All other civilians can best prevent
any serious injury by promptly
helping themselves in the manner
outlined, using kitchen or bath
room, laundry soap and water.
and few materials found in every
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