GUIDANCE FOR THEATRE EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUALTIES

File: 092496_sep96_decls4_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 1

Subject: GUIDANCE FOR THEATRE EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUALTIES           

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003204

Folder Title: GUIDANCE FOR THEATER EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUALTIES                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         14











                                  INFORMATION PAPER


                                                                      SGPS-PSP
                                                               18 AUGUST 1990


          SUBJECT: Guidance for Theatre Evacuation of Mustard Casualties

          1. PURPOSE: To propose criteria for consideration in the
          theatre evacuation of mustard casualties.


          2. FACTS:


              a. Based upon lessons learned during World War 1 and the
          Iran/Iraq War, and studies conducted on human volunteers during
          World War 11, criteria can be developed to identify which types
          of mustard casualties would require early evacuation fron the
          area of operations.

              b. These criteria may be useful to the CENTCOM Surgeon in
          establishing theatre evacuation guidance for chemical casualties,
          given the current theatre 7-day evacuation policy.

              C. The organ systems of greatest concern following a mustard
          exposure are the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Casualties
          meeting the criteria described below would require treatment and
          convalescence exceeding one to two weeks, and should be
          considered for rapid evacuation from theatre:

                a. Keratoconjunctivitis sufficient to cause blepharospasm
          and blurring of vision. This is accompanied by marked
          conjunctival hyperemia and corneal edema.

                b. Tracheobronchitis or chemical pneumonitis sufficient to
          require hospitalization with supportive care.

                C. Extensive skin vesication (other than mild erythema or
          isolated vesicles) which may impair movement of the extremities
          and require evacuation to a Corps level hospital. Special
          consideration should be given to evacuating soldiers with
          vesiculation occurring in the vicinity of the face or neck
g an adequate
          protective mask seal.

          3. Past experience indicates that the great majority of
          casualties with mild mustard-induced keratoconjunctivitis will
          recover completely and may return to duty within 1-2 weeks. This
          should be considered when making early evacuation
          determinations.


                                                      MAJ McIntosh/756-0125

Document 1 f:/Week-36/BX003204/GUIDANCE FOR THEATER EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUALTIES/guidance for theatre evacuation of mustard casua:0920961557104
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003204
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = GUIDANCE FOR THEATER EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUALTIES
Folder Seq # = 14
Subject = GUIDANCE FOR THEATRE EVACUATION OF MUSTARD CASUA
Document Seq # = 4
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