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File: 970101_sep96_decls28_0020.txt
Subject: STATUS OF USAMRDC CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE
Unit: OTSG
Parent Organization: HSC
Box ID: BX003201
Folder Title: STATUS OF USAMRDC CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE SUPPORT
Document Number: 1001
Folder Seq #: 67
atropine after use of a combination injector, we are not moving to an equivalent single-
injector system until we assure prompt appearance of therapeutic atropine levels.
9. CYANIDE (See Chapter 6, FM 8-295)
Cyanide (AC) has limited threat potential against United States and allied soldiers
equipped with masks, as noted previously. .
10. SUL-FUR MUSTARD (See Chapter 4, FM 8-285, Tech Memo 90-1, and the first 2
articles in Tech Memo 90-2).
Sulfur mustard was the agent used most extensively in the Gulf War. The study
material provides good coverage of the key points of pathophysiology and medical defense
against this agent. During the course you will also learn about the planned use of a new
product. Topical Skin Protectant (TSP), NSN 6505 01 327 4195, which prevents penetration
of mustard into skin.
In FM 8-285, Chapter 4, p. 4-11, appears a recommendation that broad spectrum
antibiotics should be used prophylactically to treat chemical pneumonitis occurring after
sulfur mustard exposure. Pulmonary and infectious disease consultants do not support the
recommendation. Secondary bacterial infection is well known as a frequent complication
of sulfur mustard inhalation injury; however, as with other bacterial pneumonias, the use
of prophylactic antibiotics is without benefit and simply selects resistant organisms for the
infection. 'ne consistent expert advice is to withhold antibiotics until definite evidence of
infection develops by sputum Gram stain and culture.
11. BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENT DEFENSE (See enclosed information sheet).
Detailed consideration of defense against biological warfare agents is not part of the
at the request of U.S. Central Command, the current
course includes instruction on recognition of BW threats and on the specific problems of
anthrax, botulism, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB).
A biological warfare agent is defined in the NATO Glossary as a living organism
used as a weapon that can harm man, animals, plants or materiel. This definition is often
expanded to include nonliving toxic products of organisms, such as botuiinum toxin or SEB.
The United States is among the signers of a 1972 Geneva accord who have pledged not to
develop, produce or use biological warfare agents under any circumstances. The U.S. Army
Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) is the lead laboratory for
our biological defense research program, devoted entirely to protection and medical defense
from these agents.
9
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Document 24 f:/Week-36/BX003201/STATUS OF USAMRDC CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE SUPPORT/status of usamrdc chemical casualty care:12249609312729
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = STATUS OF USAMRDC CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE SUPPORT
Folder Seq # = 67
Subject = STATUS OF USAMRDC CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE
Document Seq # = 1001
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 = 24-DEC-1996