Air raid precaution appliances / Roberts, McLean & Co. Ltd.

  • Roberts, McLean & Co. Ltd.
Date:
[1938?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Air raid precaution appliances / Roberts, McLean & Co. Ltd. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    mainly an irritant of nose and throat, will affect eyes and skin, too. But, it should be clearly laid down, that in each and every case, complete protection may be secured. We have enumerated the principal substances, some of which, however, are known by other names in other countries. But their main characteristics do not differ. German practice identifies under coloured crosses—Green Cross for Lung poisons; Blue Cross for Nose and Throat irritants, and Yellow Cross for Skin blisters. In a similar way in France, Mustard Gas is known as “‘Yperite,”’ and this also applies to Belgium. In Germany it is known as “ Lost.”’ Nose irritants or arsenical smokes are known elsewhere by other names ; for instance, Diphenylarsin-chloride is known as “ Clark I,”’ and Phenarsazin-chloride as ‘“‘ Adamsit.”’ Rapid and accurate identification by everybody of the important characteristics of these substances is essential so that in an emergency their chief external properties, colour, condition—whether gaseous, liquid or solid—viscosity, smell and physiological effects can be decided. If necessary, one should be able to obtain corroborative evidence by means of simple chemical tests. The requisite knowledge can easily be obtained by means of small sealed glass phials containing minute quantities of the actual poisonous substances. These phials, which are carried in small and handy cases, contain very weak concentrations of the substances used in chemical warfare, but of sufficient intensity to enable the characteristic odour to be identified. Solid substances can be more conveniently demonstrated by means of smouldering papers or capsules which smoulder and give off a distinctive odour. This also makes physiological effects apparent. As will be seen from a glance at a case of specimen poisonous substances in their phials the term “ Poison Gases ’’ is a misnomer, for among all the substances used in chemical warfare, only’ ““ Phosgene ”’ is a gas at ordinary temperature. It is therefore more correct to describe these agents as “‘ Chemical Warfare substances. ”’ We have made a considerable study of the question, and have been able to secure all the necessary data, etc., so as to make these experiments and demonstrations as simple and effective as possible. The necessary equipment consists of the following :— ROBERTS, McLEAN & CO.LTD.4, LLOYDS AVENUE, LONDON, E.C.3. (INC. IN INDIA).
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