Evening star., 1951-11-30
New War Nerve Gases
Far Most Potent Known
Victims Likely to Endonser
Both Doctors dnd Nurses
By Thomos r. Henry

By Thomos R. Henry
The new nerve cases." use Of which
can be anticipated In any third world
war, are by far the most potent war
chemicals ever known.
This has been demonstrated by experi-
ments with animals and accidental ex-
posure Of humans at the medical lab
oratories Of the Army's Chemical Corps
at Edgewood. Md. The first report Of
this work has just been made by COM
bined services medical research team
headed by Col. John r. Wood.
The effects Of minute amounts Of the
gases are so powerful that victims are
likely to endanger doctors and nurses
and contaminate hospitals and ambu-
lances. Since existence Of these gases
was made known Just after the last war
q considerable folklore has grown up
about them, including the story that
some Of them temporarily will paralyze
o soldier without permanent injury.
The report gives no substance to such
stories.
Any Protection Difficult.
Any protection against the gases will
be very difficult. it Is brought out. Spe-
cial gas masks will protect q mans eyes,
nose, ears and mouth; but these gases
60 through the skin, and no ordinary
clothing will stop them. The gases can
poison food and water. and some per-
sistent types can render other military
supplies dangerous to handle.
All Of the bases are classified chemi-
cally as "cholinergic agents." They de-
press the activity Of nerves to an ex-
treme degree, and their effects resemble
those Of nicotine and muscarine. Most Of
them are produced in two forms. liquid
ana vapor. Slightest traces will cause
contraction Of the pupil Of the eye. last
ing from "a to u hours. The only
symptom likely to be noted by the victim
will be difficulty Of seeing in dim or
artificial light.
A dose slightly above this minimum
will cause intermittent construction Of
the lungs, coming on quickly and some
times lasting for several days. There
will be difficulty in breathing, and light
is likely to prove painful. Some victims
suffer considerable loss of efficiency
but are not actually incapacitated.
Produce Real Casualties.
Larger doses produce real casualties.
The restriction Of breathing Is so great
that the victim cannot continue work.
He is likely to suffer severe headache
and inability to endure light. and he
probably will become confused, panicky,
fearful of suffocation.
with large doses" says the report,
"all unprotected men will be casualties.
many with alarming symptoms. This
is still a small exposure by comparison
with casualty producing doses of other
standard chemical agents, and doses ex-
ceeding this will almost certainly be
met in any modern chemical attack.
The airway may be almost completely
closed by bronchoconstriction and spasm
of the larynx. A subjects muscular ef-
fort at respiration is powerful, but very
little ventilation of the lungs is ac-
compliShed.
"As this lack Of oxygen continues.
he becomes more confused and may fall
exhausted and unconscious. His muscles
Of respiration. now fatigued and weak
ened. gradually lessen their efforts"
Then, says the report. tremorS de-
velop and occasional convulsions caused
by the combinatio of lack of oxygen
and the direct, effects of the gas on the
central nervous system. Breathing pa
ralysis usually is not complete, and the
victim survives. But all this is still at
a relatively low level of exposure. such
as might be experienced on the fringes
of a battlefield.
Classical Symptoms.
Added to these are the classical symp-
toms usually associated with muscarine,
or Spanish fly, poisoning. There are ex-
cessive gland secretions, vomiting, severe
cramps headache and inability to stand
light. In fatal cases the symptoms are
similar but more intense. Usually. the
initial blocking of the airway to the
lungs is complete; collapse and uncon-
sciousness come quickly, and the VIC
tim is smothered to death.
Harder to use but more devastating
in their results are these same nerve
poisons in liquid form. 1t requires, how
ever. from 10 to 20 minutes to go through
clothing and skin before nerves are
affected.
Survivors of these gases, the expert
ments show, may exhibit mental effects
for several days. Even mild exposure is
followed by giddiness, nerve tension.
jitterishness. sleeplessness and excessive
dreaming. With more severe exposure
there are likely to be seclusiveness. de-
preston, restlessness, tremor and much
irrational behavior. The pattern of the
brain waves is changed. Military
commanders and medical officers" it is
stressed in the report, must give seri-
Gus consideration to the possibility Of
panic among combat personnel in nerve
gas attacks"