Page 254 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

260 NAVA L SK I LLS

even in the post-Cold \·Var era, the United States nnd its nllies nre il speedy death. These gases have 110t been successfully used in war
required to maintain strong deterrent capabilities in order to try to because they are very light and dissipate quickly. The)' would prob-
discourage any aggressive lise ofCBR weapons in the future. ably not be used by themselves.
The following sections summarize current capabilities ill CRR Choking gases (lung irritants) act on the respiratory system
w<Jrfare, and some of the damage control me<lsures that could be and arc often t~ltal. Chlorine and phosgene are two COlllmon types.
taken in the e\'ent of their lise in allY fUhtre connict. Phosgene W ;1S used in \\'arld \\'ar ( and caused casualties second
only to mustMd gas. These gnses cause the lungs to fill with liquid,
causing death due to lack of oxygen.
Chemical Warfare Ps),cho gases produce a mentall), confused state that includes
Chemical warfare (C\·V) is the military use of any chemical to hallucinations, anger, and inability to sleep. They may <1lso cause
harass or calise casualties among enemy forces. Chemical war- physical symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision. fainting spells,
fare ngents are poisollous chemiGlls that call cause death, injury, and severe muscle weakness. These gases make people completely
or irritnting eHects. They mny be gnses, V<lpors, powders. or liquids. ineftcctive, but they do not kill. Their effects last from eight hours
and include screening smokes and incendiaries. Though they can to four days. According to somc analysts, psycho gases could be
be deadly. chemical Will'l~lre agents are often unstable and difficult widely lIsed in future wars.
to produce and store, and can be dispersed and rendered inclTec- VOllliting gases ilnd fea/' gases produce unplensant symptoms,
tive by weather and sunlight. but usually for ani), a short time. The}' arc not intended to cause
Chemical warfare agents can be difficult to detect .md some death. They are used to control riots. to force people out of build-
nrc lethal in \'ery slllall concentrations. Upwind dispersal of chem- ings or caves, or to capture enemy forces without serious injury.
icnl agents could contnlllinate a large <lre<l with devastating results. The)' arc often used in training exercises. Because they are really
Chemical smoke screens have been used to hide one's OWJl ships or vapors, protective gas masks give complete protection if used
forces, or to confuse enemy forces. The smokes can be combined quickly nnd correctly. ~vlixtur(' of these agents with more lethal
with other chemical agents as well. Illcendiaries-chemical com- gnses is possible, however; if that were done, many casualties could
pounds that burn with terrific heat-may be dropped by airCI\lft, quickly occur.
fired in shells, or used with flamethrowers. They include napalm, All of these chemical warfare agents can be delivered via gUll
jeUied gasoline, and thermite nnd magnesiulll bombs. But the most projectiles, missiles, or aircraft bombs or spray tilnks.
dangerous C\V threat is the use of casualty and harassing agents
against troops or civilian populations.
Biological Warfare
C\ I' gases cause bodily damage according to the type used. The
most common types of C\V agents are nerve gases, blister gases, l3iological wart~He (R\V) is the use of living organisms (bacteria,
blood gases, choking gases, psycho gases, and vomiting and tear spores, or fungi) or toxins (powerful biologic poisons) to reduce
gases. A protective gas mask can protect the eyes and lungs against the ability of an enem), to wage wnr by destroying or contaminat-
m.lIlY of these agents, and specially treated garments will protect ing food or water supplies or by spreading epidemic disease. A B\V
the skin. attack would most probably consist of an aerosol spmy (fog-like
Nerve gases are the 1110st deadly of the C\ V agents. They were droplets) released into air currents or water supplies, or a powder
developed by the Germans in \\'orld \Var II but never iIsed in that that people might ingest. 13\ V agents cnn be released by aircraft,
war. Entering the body through the nose, skin, or mouth, they are bombs, and missiles, or evell by enemy agents or terrorists. Like
quick killers. Protection against nerve gases depends on speed in certain chemical agents, it only takes a very small amount of lllany
detection, masking, and self .. or first-aid. These nre the most proba- of these agents to do serio liS harm.
ble C\·V agents to be used in the future, according to many analysts. A slow laboriltof)' testing process is necessmy to detect bio-
Blister gases calise blisters on the skin. A type of blister gas 10ginl1 warfare agents. which are \'ef)' diftkult to identify. j\'(any
called Illustard gas was used extensiveI}' in \ Vorld \ Val' (; it caused people could become casualties by the time the agent is identified.
IlHlIl)' casualties on both sides. Either in liquid or vapor form, these Once identified. however. diseases ctlused by 1110st B\ V agents can
gases calise painful burns ahd blisters on the skin and Can dam- be sllccessfully treated. Most B\V agents die or lose their effective-
age the eyes even 1110re seriously. (fbreathed into the lungs, blister ness after a fe\\' days of exposure to sunlight and ordinary \\'eather
gases wi1l inflame the throat, windpipe, and lungs, alien resulting conditions. Food and clothing suspected of being contaminated
in pneumonia and de<lIh. should be boiled before lise. Canned goods are normally consid ..
Blood gases directly alrect heart action and interlere with the ered safe to use.
absorption of oxygen by the body. The body tissues suffocate and Vaccines are availnble against many potentinl l3\V agents stich
die. A mild exposure will produce hendache, dizziness, and nausea, as anthrax and plague, and cnn be administered to military person-
followed by recovery within a lew hours. Heavy exposure will cause