Evening star., 1951-03-15
CD Booklet Debunks
Germ War but AsksAII
To Report Odd Illness
By Crosby S. Moves

Inc pubic UOQay was warned
to report promptly "any strange
or unusual sickness" that might
strike families in times of emer-
gency.
Such reports, the Federal Civil
Defense Administration says, are
meant as a preeaution against BIZ
illogical warfare.
The caution is contained in a
booklet entitled what You
Should Know About Biological
Warfare" released today by Civil
Defense. The pamphlet condenses
information previously published
for guidance of civil defense lead
erS.
Much of the book is devoted to
exploding popular misconceptions
about the possibilities of germ
warfare" 1t urges the reader to
forget about new mystery germs
and poisons."
During the past few years." the
book explains, "a great deal of
foolish talk has been heard about
supposedly new types of germs
and poisons so powerful that even
a thimbleful could kill millions
Of people. Most Of this is pure
scare-talk built on twisted facts.
Cites Botulinus Poison.
AS an example, the pamphlet
discusses botulinus poison, an ex-
ira a-strong substance that has
been produced by laboratory work
ers in pure form. 1t has been said
that in theory at least, an ounce
OF this poison could kill 220 mil
lion people. However. the book
adds:
Talk of / ounce killing mil
lions of people is silly. You might
as well talk Of dividing / aspirin
tablet among the II million peo-
pie in the greater New York
area"
Passing on to the possibility
that an enemy could spread dis
ease germs through the use of
fine sprays or aerosols, the reader
Is, told that I'VE can be. reasonably
sure that no enemy could attack
us with some new disease germ or
toxin that would bring quick ILL
ness or death to millions of peo-
Pile"
On the other hand, the book
warns that like defense against
air attacks. defense against bio
logical warfare is neither sure
nor simple. In spite of all our
defenses, we might be hit"
Cooperation Urged.
The effect of an attack can be
minimized through an efficient
and alert public health service,
with the wholehearted co-opera-
ton of individual citizens, the
book says.
The public is urged to keep
health standards up as a preventa-
tive against the spread of dis
ease. Homes should be kept
clean. sickness should be reported
promptly among humans, animals
or crops, and individuals should
comply with authorities if asked
to submit blood samples or re-
ceive vaccinations
In addition to reporting UNUSUAL
family illnesses, the reader is ad-
vised that IF the food or drink
ing water in your Office building
or factory should make you Ill,
be sure to report the fact at once
to your supervisor
Meanwhile, the District De-
partment Civil Defense has an
nounced the establishment of a
technical committee on biological
warfare. The group is charged
with overall planning against a
possible germ warfare attack.
The program consists of an
educational program for the pub
lie and the medical profession,
improvement of disease report
ing, and strengthening of labor
atory facilities in the Washing
ton area.
Members OF the committee are:
DR.. Victor H. Haas. Director,
National Meteorological Insti-
tute, United States Public Health
Service.
DR.. Paul <. Smith, Department
Of Pharmacology, George Wash
tngton University Medical School.
DR.. John E. Noble, Director of
Laboratories, District of Colum-
bia Health Department.
DR.. John c. Eckhardt, Direc-
tor, Bureau of Preventable Dis
eases. District of Columbia Health
Department.
DR.. Richard S. Green, Sanitary
Engineer, United States Public
Health Service. /