Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical WarfareFig. 3-7. Plan of a division in action. Colonel HL Gilchrist, medical director of the American Expeditionary Force for gas warfare,prepared this illustration for chemical warfare training purposes. The drawing is based on an actual German gas cloudin 1916 but an American division is substituted for the British division that was actually attacked. The gas cloud is seen astotally interrupting the division’s medical evacuation system, as well as making its two “degassing stations” inoperative.Reproduced from: Gilchrist HL. A Comparative Study of World War Casualties from Gas and Other Weapons. Edgewood Arsenal,Md: Chemical Warfare School; 1928.Regimental Aid PostsThe battalion or regimental MO was responsiblefor the basic design of a regimental aid post equippedfor medical and surgical casualty stabilization, whichoften had to be rapidly established during movement.Depending on the unit’s location, the aid post mighthave been the cellar of a ruined cottage or house, adeserted German dugout, or a shellproof annex toa communication trench. The post needed to offerprotection from direct fire and, if possible, be locatedadjacent to a road to support evacuation. Regardless oflocation, the aid post had to protect casualties from furtherchemical compromise, which was accomplishedby closing all doorway openings with blankets soakedin an antigas solution. 20,21The mission of the aid post was to treat for shock(by administering morphine and providing hot drinks)and protect casualties from environmental exposure.Treatment was provided in these forward areas untilthe casualty flow slackened. Casualties who requiredstabilization beyond the regimental MO’s level of86