1935-11-27 — Page 7

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1935.

PRECAUTION AGAINST GAS ATTACKS

DANGERS FROM THE

AIR EMPHASIZED

Commander White Gives Illuminating Talk-To Rotarians

Present day warfare does not mean matching the strength of the army of one's country with that of another. There are more dangers from gas attalas, and cruel and barbarous as that method may be, stil it had been used, and in all likelihood, they will be used again by combatant powers.

Deadly as gas attacks are, there are, fortunately, methods of combatting them. Thanks to Commander White, some of these precautionary measures were graphically told in his ad: dress to local Rotarians yesterday.

SO MUCH THE WORSE FOR

CIVILIZATION

In introducing the speaker: Pro-der the heading of lethal. It in

haled for a very short time they fessor "Forster said:-

The subject which Commander alve a choking sensation and a White is to address us on is "Gasnain in the chest, nausea, followed Defence." It is a symptom of the by vomiting. Chloropierin, in ad- times when such a tople becomesdition to these symptoms, causes a subject for the Rotary platform. watering of the eyes.

The affected person should be It is a sharp reminder of the fact that war is no longer a contrast kept at rest, out of the poisoned between professional soldiers. but atmosphere and spared every exer" a matter of life and death for or- tion and, in cases of doubt, should' dinary men, women and children, I be given the beneft until medical a matter of life if they know how advice is forthcoming. to protect themselves from the fearful effects of phosgene, and a matter of death if they do not.

I remember in 1921 at a meeting of the British Association in Edin-

burgh, the president, Sir William Thorpe, who was a distinguished chemist, pleaded with the scient- ista of the world to form a brother hood which would refuse to lend Its services to such evil ends as 525; warfare.

This was a new note, for scient- tats have generally said that they are not concerned with the direc- tion in which their discoveries are

applied, and that this is a matter for the moral teachers of the world. If the ethereal principles of the world lag behind the scien- tife thought, so much the worse for civilisation.

When the scientists get to work, it is time for good men to take precautions. Commander White is going to tell us what those precau- tions should be."

GAS AND GAS PROTECTION Addressing the gathering, Com- mander White said:-

A slight, error has crept in. I forgot to ask for my address to be called "Gas and not "Gas De- fence" because I want to talk to you on "Gas" and "Gas Protec- tion."

In accordance with an Interna- tional Agreement entered into by His Majesty's Government and the self-governing dominions, the, Bri- tish Government will, on the out-

SOME CAUSE SNEEZING There are other non-persistent gases some of which cause ancez- ing or vomiting so that the res pirator cannot be adjusted-and lethal gases can be mixed with these.

Persistent gases generally con- sist of liquids which contaminate the area on which they are releas- ed and continue to give off vapours for a considerable period. Mus- tard, lewisite and most tear gases are typical examples.

The reason why these are called persistent gases is that their boll- ing point of point of evaporation is considerably higher than that of non-persistent gases. The persist

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unless it is immediately treated by a doctor; the-lewisite blister inust be punctured as it contains arsenic...

HOW MUSTARD GAS ACTS To summarise: mustard gas is very parsistent the sense of smell is soon dúlled, it is toxia in low concentrations, its action is cumulative (Le. frequent doses are fatal or nearly so), it pene-

all

most trates

clothing and material," and is difficult to get rid of. It is non-selective, l.e. It affects all parts of the body. It has immediate action but no early pains and with delayed on- causes pro set of symptoms it

longed illness. It causes

one. 10

be more sensitive to subsequent attacks and it contaminates food -and-water.RES

Certain people will be in the thick of it ashore. Police, Arst ald parties, are brigades, and the like. They would have the worse jobs, and. it is hoped will be fully drilled in their duties.

THE DEFENCE

I hope I have given you a fair idea of the results of an attack- Defence is quite simple if properly organized before hand. So simple that all you have to do is, to obey the instructions of the authorities -without question.

Defence or very strict'y, speaking protection, deprives this weapon. to a large extent. or its worst. effects

If this is done. and, if schemes as I hope to of protection such indicate are prepared and ready to be brought into operation at a moment's notice. then the result from gas attacks would be no more serious than from high explosives of incendiary bombs,

Protection can be of two types. One is collective and the other is Individual

During the night of July 12, 1917, Ypres was bombarded by gas shells from which a vapour re- sembling mustard or garlic arose which had no immediate effect on the eyes or air, passages. The troops naturally tended to under-

COLLECTIVE PROTECTION estimate the danger as, they had been accustomed to associate

Groups of persons' can be collect- "gas with violent and choking ( ed in a room, a refuse room, which sensations and many, under the should be in the highest story impression that the gas was not building obtainable and, if possi-.. strong enough to hurt them, be, on the side opposite that ex- It omitted to wear their respirators posed to the prevailing wind. while others removed them after..ould be of stout walls, and few a short time. In a few hours the windows, and which can be made symptoms began to appear and, gas tight from the inside by stop- during the first three weeks of ping up cracks in doors andɑ win- mustard gas attacks, 14,000 casual dows with wet-paper and rags, and ties were admitted to the clearing by putting the fire out and plug- stations and there were about 500 ging up the chimney. Blankets or deaths. The reasons for the large curtains, sheets, tablecloths etc, number of casualties are: diff-should be secured to the windows inside, in case the glass breaks. culty of recognition, delay of ac-

The protection afforded by these tion, the high persistence and the fact that the wearing of respirator materials will be much increased if does nos protect the skin

they are kept wet, burns.

from

THE SYMPTOMS The Medical History of the War states.

"The infamination of the eyes rapidly increases in Intensity and the eyelids swell until the eyes are finally closed. The throat feels dry and burning, the voice becomes hoarse and is Anally reduced to a whisper, or is completely lost. There is an irritable dry cough, The effect on the skin becomes apparent after eight to twelve hours when a red blush appears, deepening in intensity until the affected parts look as if they had been scorched. And so it goes on to ence of a gas is affected by bronchitis and broncho-pney'-" many factors: such as the de- monla

The death rate is low for gree of contaminatión, tempera-disciplined

well-protected ture, rainfall, shelter from the people being about two per cent." wind and nature of the soil On I could tell you considerably the other hand warm, weather, rainfall, and high wind all tend to reduce the persistence in that evaporation takes place quickly and the liberated gas is dispersed by the wind or a heavy rainfall which will tend to wash it out of the air and will, in most slowly destroy the liquid on the ground.

TEAR GAS

cases,

Eye irritants or tear gases or. better still, lachrymatory. gases, even in small amounts have an

and painful immediate causing so profuse a flow of tears that it is generally 'Impossible ta

effect

break of war, efdeavour in con- see. Happily enough once you Junction with its allies to obtain are out of the gassed area, the from the enemy government or effects soon wear off and no governments, an engagement that damage is done to the eyes. poison gas will not be used as a

Finally under this heading of weapon of war, In the event of persistent gases there is mustard failure to obtain such an agree gas. One cannot make a mistake ment. His Majesty's Government

about mustard. It has a smell of will be free to take such action as garlic, onions and mustard. Be- the circumstances demand.

Therefore we must consider the and deadly, it attacks the skin sides being a respiratory irritant

possiblities.

and in the worse, CASES, canses The gases I shall talk about are deep and extensive blisters. No pain is felt on contact with the liquid or vapour, and the effects

those used in connection with war- as a definition in fare. "Gas"

this respect a very loosely used do not show themselves until and includes any chemical subs after a few hours, Mustard gas tance. whether in the form of a also attacks the eyes and lungs solid, a liquid or a gas which is

and here again there are no im- employed for its poisonous or irrit mediate symptoms. ant effects on the human body.

Such substances are, generally speaking, dispersed in the air as vapours or poisonous smokes and exercise their action on people and animals exposed to the con taminated airSome of them, such a mustard gas and lewisite, "also" act by direct contact of the Ifquid with the body.

And

more about the ill effects of a pak attack when not properly pro- teeted or drilled to syold it,

Refuges will also be arranged to house the considerable numbers who will be left high and dry in the streets. These will hold four or five hundred people. You wil never know when you will be caught bending, because work and business will have to be carried on even in war time.

Gas alarms will be sounded, and notices on boards will be placed to the nearest indicate the way to refuge. Do not get into a panic. Pemember the story of the thirteen

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MORE MONEY ASKED BY GOVT.

Votes For $28,000 Before Finance Committee

*Supplementary expenditures to- talking $28,882 will be asked for by the Hong Kong Government at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council to-mor row afternoon. The items are:-- Public Works Extraordinary:

Hong Kong Buildings. Upper

Pollec Levels Station Provision made

$120,000.

܀܂

.$10,000

in Estimates

The Building-is-due-to be com

in December and the pleted estimated cost of the work has now been revised and reduced from $220,000 to $213,000. -

Details of expenditure are as follows:-..

(a) Amount provided in Esti- mates for 1934 was $50,000 but the actual expenditure was $39,281.

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(b) Amount provided in Esti- mates for 1935 was $120,000, but the actual expendithre to complete the building is estimated at $139,000.

(c) Amount provided in the draft Estimates for 1936 is $40,000, and the amount now required for final bills and retention money to be re- quced to $34,719.

A supplementary vote for $19,000 is accordingly requested. Magistracy, Kowloon: Electric

Fans and Light Provision $400.

$50 made in Estimates,

It is anticipated that a further sum of $50 will be required to meet additional expenditure under this sub-head during the current year, as a result of the erection of the Temporary Court.

A supplementary vote for this amount is requested.

The above is to be met from savings under Uniform for Meisen- gers.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Department; Fuel

$7,500 and Light Provision made in Estimates,

$58,000.

petucus Britons, when in a train for Inverness, there was a flag Medical day in Inverness) found they were an lucky number. Being super- stitious and to find which should get out at the next station they found a bawbee-eventually. -tossed it up, it fell out of the window and thirteen were killed by a train coming in the opposite direction.

(Continued on Pare 11)

Through The Office Window

(By "C. L. C.”)

higher social status

and that

The expenditure on this sub- head has increased owing to the of the completion during 1935 Violet Feel Health Centre and the Out-patients Department, O, Block, and new nurses quarters, Kowloon Hospital, and it is estimated that A further sum of $7,500 will be re- quired to cover expenses to the end of the year.

A supplementary vote for this amount is accordingly requested.

The above is to be met from savings under Provisions for patients.

To any right thinking man that private car owners have a Education Department: Stu-. poverty is no shame, but in Hong Kong things appear to be some what diferent. In this Colony, those who are without visible means of support, and very often through no faults of their own, are sent to the House of Detention. This asylum for the poor, if it could be called such, is in the gaol, and the inmates there are treated

they are people with a bet ter education and better, post- tion is misleading, to say the Teset "Personally I know of a large number of private car owners who have never seen the Inside of a college, and a greater number who do not know how to use their "altches" in the right way.

And

I have had a college education and am in a good position, and yet I do not own a car. And there are many more like myself. Anyway, "Owner Driver'" broadcast, talk was illuminating and interesting.

•

dents in training. Main- tenance

$180 Provision made in Estimates.

$9,520. Owing to a change in the Academic Year, announced sub- sequently to the framing of the Estimates, the proportion of the Annual Hostel Fee of the six Gov- erament Students appointed last Beptember, which falls due in the current year, has been increased

"A supplementary vote for this by $30 each, a total $180. amount is therefore requested,

The above is to be met from savings under Capitation Grants. Medical Department--LaborE-

very much like prisoners. They what does it mean to own a car? are given the same food, and once Second-hand cars are going as within the four walls, they lose cheap as $200, and surely the run their rights as human beings. Thening of a "tin can" like this does not elevate one to the upper strata only difference between them and incarcerated criminals is that they of Society. are allowed out during certain hours of the day to look for am-

tory: Incidental Expenses.. $80 Provision made in Estimates, ployment

The hackneyed saying that beg-

$250,

* not choosers, may be gars are

There has been a large increase argued in the Police's favour in

in commercial and Government such cases. That may be true. but

Willst still on the question of sampling necessitating more travel- the objectionable part of the whole legislation is that men without motor-cars, I wish to say & feling by the Assistant Analyst,

SENSE OF SMELL ESSENTIAL"

Vaible means of support must be words about the present "Safety Sampler and Coolie. Fees are paid to Government in respect of com- brought before e Magistrate, in First Campaign. "It is only a sugmercial sampling. It is estimated It is therefore. pretty obvious open Court, uke ordinary criminals, gestion and I am offering is for that a further $50 will be required that you should cultivate the before the Police could commit

what it is worth. Why cannot the and a supplementary vote for this sense of smell which will be your them to the House of Detention. Police Department enlist the ser

sum is requested. only means of identifying the once in the open Court, the pro-

vices of the St. John Ambulance presence of mustard. One sait ceedings set into the local papers, Brigade to have its members go and on with the respirator. But and after this publicity, the un-out into the highways and byeways a great danger awaits you ortunate ones find it very difficult to talk to the people. I am sure mustard la prelt too often or even

to obtain employment.

that a talk to the masses in street intermittently, because the sense

Why cannot the Police bring all | corners will bear more fruit than of smell becomes dulled. In ad-

such casek to the Magistrate in broadcasting. Those who own a For tactical reasons, gases, are dition to this, in common with chamber and thus preventing the radio, if I may borrow: "Owner called either non-persistent or all persistent gases, at a certain names of these poor people and Driver's" words, belong to the peratatent Very broadly speak temperaturo say: 66 degrees no the circumstances of their plight Bigher Class of Chiness, and they mates proved to be insumcient and ing, and to use an Iriahiam, a non- gas is given off but as the tem from getting Into the papers., know road sense. According to a further vote for $2,092 18 request persistent gas is a gas and a per- perature rises, as it does from That would give sistent gas is not

them a the records, the majority of theed. The expenditure on this ser- night-time to day-time, a small hefter chance to look for work. people involved in traffic accidents vice was $43,845 in 1933, and $46,275 Non-persistent gases like chlor- argount of gas is given off at

and with greater self-confidence are Chinese of the tower out in 1834. There has been & het In- ine, phosgene and others, are Brst and you do not notice it. stored in steel bottles or contain- Lewisite is a substance contain surely to be poor is not an offence? and it is unlikely that they have crease since 1934 of 297 officers & radio or thoroughly to understand qualifying for the bonus by three ers under pressure and, when re- ing arsenic and acts on the body

years service. wonder I leased issue visibly generally in in much the same way as mas wonder how many people are the teachings of the posters that

Total voter asked for $28.882. the form of gas or smoke clouds fard. It affects the respiratory there in Hong Kong who harbour are placarded all over the streets. which continue to be effective on system and causes blisters but the same opinion as "Owner and there is another thing to re- til dissipated

there is a great difference between Driver regarding the social status member! The Chinese spoken by them as the mustard bilster 19 of private car owners? Surely men like the Hon Mr. Tso and dangerous if punctured, that is there cannot be "many,

others is classical Chinese and not To Say

LETHAL GASES.

Chlorine and phosgene are par- ticularly nasty gases and come un-

The above is to be met from sar- ings under Umkozm Miscellaneous Services: New

Year Bonuses to Chines Employees

2,092 Provision made in Estimates

$48,000,

:༥!『

The sum provided in the Esti-

readily understood by the average man in the street.

PIRATIONS

INS

Enjoy that that Christmas

Spirit!

Visit our Ladies' Salon

for

Gifts

for for Her

New selections have

just been unpacked

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

ASSAO STORE

6, JORDAN ROAD

TEL. 59321

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OUR POOR DAY

BUY

ROSE

MONDAY, DECEMBER-2nd

AND HELP

HONG KONG'S

in aid of the Charities of the

POOR

80CIETY OF THE ST, VINCENT DE PAUL Which Extends To The Poor Of All Nationalities and Denominations.

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