Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1951-03-16

Then there is biological warfare
against crops in the spread of in
sect pests and plant diseases which
constitute threat to our food sup
ply. 1t would be comparatively
easy for low flying planes to spread
such crop and animal diseases
across the vast stretches of the
country's great plains where wheat,
oats and the meat animals are
raised and where population is
comparatively meager. The depart
ment of agriculture knows about
many of these foreign pests such
as Japanese beetle, European corn
borer, Mediterranean fruit fly, cit
rus canker and other pests. Our
most successful method of keeping
down losses is development of
strains resistant to specific dis
eases, which takes time But it is
likely that new organisms which
present crop varities cannot re-
sist, may be introduced. even in
peace time, and herbicidal chem
icals might be disseminated OPEN
ly over these vast crop areas where
hostile planes might gain access.
OF COURSE CONSTANT vigil
ancc, beforehand knowledge how
to detect the effect of biological
warfare on both humans and ami
mails. the proper method of fighting
the effects, and how state, towns,
cities, and counties can be organ
lied to fight these perils is func-
ton of the civil defense admins
tration. Probably one of the most
insidious and dangerous methods
of chemical warfare is the dis
scmination of so-called nerve gases,
developed in Germany during World
War II. These nerve gases are more
toxic than any previously known
war gases and are nearly colorless
and odorless. They are liquids
which yield toxic vapors when they
evaporate and are laid down near
the ground. These gases cut off
breathing and blood circulation.
Action is prompt and lethal and in
halation for a few seconds may
cause death. Exposure to mild
traces Of the vapor causes bron-
chial restriction with difficulty in
breathing, coughing and a water
discharge of the nose. A slightly
greater exposure induces painful
construction of eye muscles, ter
rifle pain back of the eye-balls.
Larger doses cause rapid and Sc
we're broncho-spasms, preventing
both inhalation and exhalation. The
victim becomes confused and
cyanotic, may have nausea and
vomiting and falls unconscious. The
blood pressure falls, heart beat is
slowed and may or may not start
again.
The us. public health service
has worked out treatments for all
these inhuman forms of modern
warfare in the biological and chem
ical field. The point is in learning
how to combat it; what treatments
to give in emergencies and in the
long pull for recovery; to pile up
stocks of the right kind of medi-
cines, particularly atrophine and
tridione, plenty of gas masks, pro-
tective clothing, how to prevent
contamination, disqualification and
a dozen other necessities in case
of such an attack.
Doctors and veterinarians must
take special courses in how to COM
bat the effects and this profession
al manpower must come from the
private ranks. Therefore full CO.
operation of the various state,
county and local medical and re-
lated professional groups is essen
tial. Be ready to volunteer.
tNext weeks article will discuss
national. state, and regional train
ing centers In the civil defense pro-
gram.)