CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MGMT OF BW CASUALTIES

File: 092496_sep96_decls2_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 9

Subject: CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MGMT OF BW CASUALTIES               

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003204

Folder Title: CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BW CASUALTIES                                         

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         23







                                                                       UNCLASSIFIED

                   BOTULINUM


                   9.  Genera) Description. Botulinum toxin (BTX) is one of the most powerful

                   lethal toxins known. Classical Botulism results from the ingestion of con-

                   taminateci food. In the BW scenario dissemination of the toxin is likely to be

                   by aerosol resulting in inhalation of the agent. The SIO Respirator gives good

                   protection. However attacks could be covert and currently it is unlikely that

                   the S10 Respirator will be worn as a protective measure against such attacks.


                   10., Clinical Identification. Botulism is a neurological syndrome. Symptoms

                   develop within a few hours. Vague malaise and weakness is rapidly followed by

                   blurring of vision and ptosis. The patient will experience difficulty in

                   swallowing and speaking. Thick sticky secretions accumulate In the throat.

                   There is then a descending paralysis affecting the muscles of respiration. No

                   sensory disturbance occurs and the brain is unaffected. Insight is preserved.


                   11. Laboratory Diagnosis. Retrospective diagnosis, which would be important

                   politically, would require frozen specimens of serum.


                   12. Management. Patients should not be subjected to unnecessary stimulation.

                   They will be treated as stretcher cases throughout the evacuation chain and

                   where Possible nursed in a quiet environment. Ventilation is likely to be

                   required for a prolonged period up to several weeks. Details are covered in a

                   separate paper.


                   13. Botulinum Hyperiamune Globulin. This will confer protection against

 early. Instructions

                   will be promulgated when the material becomes available.






                                                        B-4 of
                   ROW 142 (WDSB)JA                SEBRC:F                NCLASSIFIED

Document 9 f:/Week-36/BX003204/CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BW CASUALTIES/clinical identification and mgmt of bw casualtie:0920961557092
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003204
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BW CASUALTIES
Folder Seq # = 23
Subject = CLINICAL IDENTIFICATION AND MGMT OF BW CASUALTIE
Document Seq # = 2
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 = 20-SEP-1996