PINPOINTING THE PHYSICIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY IN CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND RADIOLOGICAL DEFENSE
The civil defense implications of CBR warfare are discussed. It is concluded that CW, BW, and RW (referring here to ionizing radiations resulting from fallout rather than that associated with the initial blast) have certain general characteristics in common. They can produce large numbers of casualties over fairly extensive areas; they cause death or disability by alteration or interference with normal physiologic processes; in most cases, the agents can be present at sufficient levels to cause their effects without being detectable by the senses; and in the case of CW and BW agents brief exposure to minimal quantities may be sufficient to result in death or disability. In the event of attack with any one of these weapons, it is almost inevitable that civilian populations as well as military personnel would be affected. On the basis of these general characteristics alone, to which are added the specific effects of chemical toxins, pathogenic organisms, and ionizing radiation, the total medical and public health problems which could result from individual or combined use of these three weapons systems appears almost overwhelming. Responsibilities of the physician in the pre-attack period to improve defenses against CW, BW, and RW are considered. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Public Health Service, Atlanta
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-010326
- OSTI ID:
- 4089781
- Journal Information:
- New York State Journal of Medicine (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 63; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY LOOKS AT CIVIL DEFENSE
NONMILITARY CBR DEFENSE