Medical treatment of gas casualties / issued by the Home Office (Air Raid Precautions Department).

Date:
1937
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical treatment of gas casualties / issued by the Home Office (Air Raid Precautions Department). Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/162 page 2
    INTRODUCTION This handbook on the treatment of gas casualties has been written primarily for doctors. The material from which it is compiled is being used jointly for this book and for a similar book for Medical Officers of the Defence Services. The subject is treated here from the aspect of civil air raid precautions. Study of the medical aspects of gas warfare has, since the last war, been confined to a small circle concerned with the protection of the Defence Services. The de- velopment of aircraft has now, however, made it clear that in a future war no part of these Islands might be wholly immune from air attack, and it is therefore impossible to neglect the protection of the civilian population also against the dangers and effects of gas. For this reason it is hoped that the medical problems to which poison gases give rise will come to be in- cluded as subjects of general study and research among the medical profession. It is considered to be a matter of national importance that as many as possible of the medical practitioners in the country should learn the effects of war gases and the appropriate methods of treatment. This is necessary so that,.in the event of air attack accom- panied by the use of gas, they can treat casualties among the civilian population; and in addition they will be able in time of peace to speak with authority on occasions when reference is made to the dangers of gas in war. Great importance is attached to the doctor, with the influence of his professional status, having the knowledge and authority to speak on the problems which might arise if gas should unfortunately ever be used against our people. On this, as on other matters, a doctor should be prepared to be consulted by his patients,
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