medicine, which include individual hygiene, sanitation, and physical checkups. Report any illness to medical authorities immediately. If there is a possibility of contamination by BW agents, carefully remove your clothes to avoid spreading any contamination. Take a thorough soap and water shower as soon as possible. Pay careful attention to your face and hands. Use a fingernail brush to remove dirt under your nails. Frequently brush your teeth and gums, the roof of your mouth, and your tongue. Dispose of your contaminated clothing as directed. The speed with which the deadly effects of some biological agents take place will require you to take immediate self-aid and first-aid measures. CHEMICAL  WARFARE Chemical warfare (CW) agents are those intended for use in military operations to kill, injure seriously, or incapacitate people through physiological effects. Chemical agents used as weapons of war are almost as old as recorded history and can be dated from the fifth century B.C. CW operations in the modern sense were first used during World War I when the German army released chlorine gas from large cylinders into a favorable wind. Although large stocks of chemical agents were produced and stockpiled during World War II, none were used. Since the end of World War II, much effort has been directed into research and development of chemical agents. The introduction of nuclear weapons and the fact that CW agents were not used in World War II does not exclude the possibility of their use in future wars. Detection, protection, and decontamination are the most important concerns of CW defense. Characteristics of Chemical Warfare Chemical warfare has unique characteristics, and it is not thought of in terms of conventional warfare. Since chemical warfare is directed primarily against man, it has obvious tactical advantages. It does not damage equipment or other war materials but rather makes them dirty and renders them unusable. Chemical warfare is a weapon of surprise. It is capable of traveling over and around structures as well as penetrating compartments. Chemical warfare is economical and is capable of affecting large areas for relatively small material expenditures. In addition to its lethal or incapacitating effects, the use of chemical warfare causes morale and psychological problems, and its impact on medical and logistic facilities can be enormous. It also reduces perform- ance because of defensive measures needed to combat it. CW agents can attack the body through the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. CW agents produce almost instantaneous casualties when they enter the eyes, are breathed through the nose or mouth, or are ingested. Penetration through the skin is likely to produce casualties more slowly, although the presence of open wounds can hasten the process. Almost any weapons system can be used to deliver CW agents. Classification of Chemical Agents CW agents maybe classified according to their physical state, tactical use, or physiological action. They exist as solids, liquids, or gases. You can also group CW agents according to their tactical use. CASUALTY CW AGENTS. —Casualty CW agents are capable of producing serious injury or death. They include nerve agents, blister agents, blood agents, and choking agents. The most important are the nerve agents. They interfere with the transfer of nerve impulses, thereby disrupting essential bodily functions, such as breathing, muscular control, and vision. The nerve, blood, and choking agents are primarily killers. The blister agents normally result only in incapacitation; however, they may cause blindness and even death through secondary infection. INCAPACITATING AGENTS. —These agents produce temporary physiological or mental effects that render individuals incapable of performing their assigned duties. RIOT CONTROL AGENTS. —These agents, such as tear gas, produce only temporary irritating or incapacitating effects when in contact with the eyes or when inhaled. Effects of Chemical Warfare Agents Victims of casualty agents (nerve, blister, blood, and choking agents) require hospitaliza- tion. Inhalation of high concentrations of vapor from these agents or contact with liquid agents, without prompt medical treatment, will produce death. 7-25