CHEMICAL WARFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22192, 20 August 1935, Page 5

CHEMICAL WARFARE

DEFENCE Or CIVILIANS DOMINION PRECAUTIONSSome months ago the Dominion chairman of the Red Cross Society, Mr. J Abei, of Wellington, received communications from the British Red Cross Society on the subject of first aid in defence against chemical warfare, and after an interchange' of correspondence asked for and 'was at onco assured of tho fullest co-operation of tho British Society, which is taking a loading and vital part in the campaign of educating tho civilian population in Groat Britain and British countries generally. Literature and tho special equipment and materials which are required for courses of training of first-aid students have been ordered from the Brftish Red Cross and will arrive in New Zealand shortly. . The present Rod Cross course of studies encompasses three sections, first aid. home nursing, and hygiene and sanitation, and it is proposed that members who have achieved proficiency in these three sections shall be given the opportunity of taking up a fourth-year cojirse of instruction in the special form of first aid in the defence of civilians against gas. It is not that the society fears that New Zealand will be so attacked in the near future, but the society does believe, very earnestly, Mr. Abel stated, that no matter how far removed that possibility may appear, an organised protective step must be taken. Among the literature so t far received by tho New Zealand headquarters is the general booklet on tho subject, published by the British Society, written by Major-Gcncral I). J. Collins and Ma'jor H. Stuart Blaekmore, R.A.M.C.," a publication which can bo accepted as authoritative, balanced, and free from exaggeration. Chemical warfare agents are classified under the four recognised head-ings—eye-irritants; lung irritants; throat, nose, and chest irritants; and .skin irritants. Some (tear gases and arsenical poison smokes) strike the victim at once, but relief follows rapidly on removal from tho danger area. The lung irritants, highly lotfial in heavy toncentrations (1 to 10,000 parts of air) do not show their deadly effects for 20 to 21 hours, when, if badly gassed, the victim literally drowns in t|ie fluid poured out in his lungs, or, if ho gasps an agonised recovery, suffers a prolonged invalidism. ;The skin irritant, mustard gas, which caused 80 per cent of gas casualties during tho war, though not 'the majority of gas deaths, sets up no. immediate irritation, but after three to 24 hours produces blisters on the skin, ulceration of tho eyes and throat, severe damage to the lungs, and intestinal injury if contaminated food is eaten.