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File: 123096_sep96_decls7_0003.txt
Subject: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Unit: VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization: BUMED
Box ID: BX303902
Folder Title: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 14
UNCLASSIFIED
FM 8-285/NAVMED P-5041/AFM 160-11
here is no nerve agent challenge is in heat- selves more than one atropine injection (2 mg)
d individuals, who will be casualties (lb) they DO NOT have progressivesigns and symptorn
A third dose of atropine (2 mg) (again with. of nerve agent poisoning leading to incapac@t
nerve agent challenge) administered within an Casualties who are able to ambulate and know wL
hour will result in more marked symptoms which they are and where they are WILL NOT need a
will interfere with ordinary activity-in fact, many more atropine injections. If the symptoms do
individuals may be totally incapacitated. Further additional atropine, up'to 2 more injections for
administration of atropine at frequent intervals total of three (3) can be administered to - o@-
witi.@u@-sever@n@@gsymptorns,af -@e& A@p-r @.bijdd@ ,
overatropinization (nerveagent antidote poisoning) to giving himself the additional injection of e..
including a very dry mouth, swelling of the tongue pine. If his heart rate is above 90. his breathir
andoral mucousmembranes.difficultyinswallow- appears normal, his bronchial secretions have di
-ing. thirst, hoarseness, dry and flushed skin, dilated inished, and his skin is dry, he does not need 2
pupils, blurring of near vision, tachyeardia (rapid moreatropine at this time. This additional atrop
pulse). tlrinary retention(in older individuals), con- willynost likely be given by a buddy. since t
stipation. slowing of mental and physical activity, casualties probably will be unable to adminis
restlessness. headache. disorientation, ha)lucina- any more injections to themselves. the additio
tions, depre§sion.. increased -d rowsi"ss, extreme administration of atropine to a soldier with o
fatigue, rapid panting respiration, and respiratory mild symptoms jnust he approached cautious
aistresg.'-AbnorinalbenaMormayi-e@ im. -with -at le@10-to T5 -minutes elapsing betv
The effects of atropine without nerv@agent chat- succe .salve injections. If the signs of nerve ai
lengearefairly-prolonged. lasting3 to5hoursaftef poisoning (para 2-5) disappear, or if signs of at.
1 or 2 injections. and 12 to 24 hours after marked pinization, such as.heartrate above 90, diminisi
oteratropinization. Overatropinizattoii may be, in- bronchial secretions. and dry skin, appear du...
capacitating but pres*nts little danger to life in a one of these 10- to 15-minute periods, no luri
temperate environment for tfie' nbnheal-itressed injections should be administered. These casual
individual. A single dose of 10 mg of atropine has should remain under observation without fur+
been administered intravenously to nor7nal young injections of atropine unless sini'of nerve -agc
adults without endangering li@even in the ab- intoxication reappear.
sence of any 'prior- absorption of a nerve agent-
although it has produced very marked signs of
NOTE
overdose. Aithough one means of determining the
lb) In hot. desert, or tropical environmentsor casualty's need for additional atropine is
in beaf-stressed individuals. dosesofatropinetoler- the heart rate.assessing-hisorherrespira-
ated well in temperate 4zlimates may be seriously tory effort is intportant in the evaluation.
incapacitating by interference with the sweating Labored breathing, including coughing,
mechanism. This can sharply reduce the combat noisy @reathing, wheezing, and gasping
effectivenessof troopswho havesuffered littleor no for air indicates the need for the admidis-
exposure to a nerve agent. In hot climates or in tration of additional atropine. When the
heat-stressedindividuals.even2mgofatropinecan heart rate is not obtainable, the need for
reduce efficiency. Two doses. or 4 mg, can sharply additional atropine may be based on the
reduce combat efficiency. and 6 mg will practically degree of respiratory impairment. When
incapacitate troops for several hours. In hot, humid adequate atropine has been given, labored
climates, individuals who have inadvertently taken breathing efforts will be relieved. This
an overdose of atropine and are exhibiting signs of assessment must be performed without
atropine intoxicationshould have theiractivity res- compromising the protective posture of
tricted. In addition. these casualties mustbe keptas MOPP.
to
avoid serious incapacitation. Usually. thecasualties (d) Patients with severesymptoms due t4
will recover fully in 24 hours or less from a signifi-' temic absorption of a nerve agent have i ---- --
cant overdose of atropine. toleranceforatropine.sothatmultipledosesmay
(c) Experience in chemical operations has required beforesignsof atropinizationappear.su
shown that if troops become alarmed, some of them as heart rate above 90, diminished bronchial s
may believe they have been exposed to more chemi- tions. and dry skin. Large do@ are reqL..--
cal agents than they actually have been. Hence it is ameliorate the muscarinic effects of nerve L,
important that service members NOT give them- poisoning. the absence of increased
UNCLASSIFIED
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Document 11 f:/Week-44/BX303902/PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING/prevention and treatment of nerve agent poisonin:1217960956196
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-44
Box ID = BX303902
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Folder Seq # = 14
Subject = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONIN
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996