Enemy gas attacks : notes prepared for the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland on the diagnosis and treatment of casualties.

Date:
1941?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Enemy gas attacks : notes prepared for the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland on the diagnosis and treatment of casualties. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/4 page 3
    8. TREATMENT. For removal from the skin hydrogen peroxide (20 vols) or a 20 per cent. solution of hyperol (urea peroxide) is a most effective counter-agent. If blisters occur they should be opened and the raw surface irrigated. to lessen the likelihood of absorption. Otherwise the treatment is as for mustard gas, but bleach ointment has no effect on Lewisite. II. LUNG IRRITANTS 9. Of these, PHOSGENE is the most important. It can be employed in shells or bombs. To. SYMPTOMS. When the gas is present in very high concentration early death from asphyxia may occur in the case of inadequately protected persons. With the more usual concentrations immediate symptoms may be slight or absent but dangerous symptoms may follow up to several hours after exposure. The likelihood of such symptoms developing is much increased. if the exposed subject remains physically active. Every person who has been exposed to phosgene vapour without. gas—mask protection should become a stretcher case as soon as possible. Ir. TREATMENT. On arriving in hospital or at a treatment centre, cases should be grouped into. mild, moderate, and severe categories and, if possible, treated separately. The ** mild ’’ cases show a reddish flush on the face, increased respiration rate and pain in the chest aggra- vated by coughing. Absolute rest, fresh air, fluids and nursing are the chief indications, together with careful watching lest any of them pass into one of the graver groups. The ‘* moderate ’’ cases show greater respiratory distress, with varying degrees of pulmonary oedema, ‘¢‘ blue ’’ cyanosis, distended neck veins, a full strong pulse without great increase in rate. The indications are continuous oxygen by nasal catheter or B.L.B. mask (or in the less severe cases intermittent pure oxygen from a nitrous oxide bag), venesection and nursing care. The ‘* severe ’’ cases show collapse, coldness, a weak rapid pulse, and pallor with leaden ‘* grey ’’ cyanosis and no distension of the neck veins. There is profuse pulmonary oedema, often with froth pouring from the mouth and nose, and great respiratory distress with shallow and largely diaphragmatic breathing and the chest in the inspiratory position. The indications are continuous oxygen in high concentration with the B.L.B. mask or double nasal catheter, the flowmeter delivering at a sufficient rate to maintain a pink colour in cheeks and lips. Venesection should not be attempted
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image