Some form of protection must be available to the user. Unless the attacker has developed immunization or therapeutic agents he will most probably seek his protection in masks, in special clothing and in distance from the area of dispersal.

In addition to the essential characteristics listed, desirable attributes of a biologic agent include difficulty in its detection, predictable persistence in a stricken population and ability to enter the body through more than one portal.

EARLY DETECTION OF AND PROTECTION AGAINST BIOLOGIC WEAPONS

Because biologic agents are invisible, odorless and tasteless and usually produce no immediate physiologic damage, their early recognition would most probably be impossible. Another reason for the the delay in recognition of the aggressive use of a biologic agent lies in the fact that physical detection from samples of air, food, and water would take days and even longer, especially if the organism were foreign to the affected population. The early detection of a biologic attack on a population would be likely only if the enemy were seen spraying clouds or using mists or by identification of a

new vector.

Protection against biologic agents is extremely difficult, but a few means are discussed below.

Physical protection

Protection of human beings against airborne agents is chiefly by air filtration since the organisms are carried in particles, either liquid or solid. This filtration would generally be accomplished by masks, but could be done by means of filters in ventilating systems. This latter method would be impractical and expensive and would help only a small segment of the population. Protective boards for rooms and shelters have been devised. These incorporate activated charcoal, which absorbs chemical and biologic agents but allows carbon dioxide and moisture within the enclosed space to escape.

Decontamination

This mode of protection will not be easy to achieve. For example, the Emergency Manual Guide on Biological Warfare (1959) states: "Decontamination of extensive areas is not considered practical. Rather, natural decay, assisted by sunlight, temperature and air movement must be relied on."

Sanitary measures

In a population sick or dying the usual sanitary measures not only must continue but must be made better: control of sewage and waste, proper disposal of corpses, control of insects and rodents and the provision of safe water, food, and drug supplies.

Immunization

A population would be better protected if it has been immunized actively or passively before biologic attack. After the attack only passive immunization would be useful since an enemy would select an agent against which active immunity would be delayed or un

likely. Thus far it has been impossible to have available a multitude of vaccines capable of being dispersed and administered to a large population. Also, there are as yet no effective vaccines against certain diseases.

Medical treatment

The disease inflicted upon a population by an attacker would require the treatment commonly employed in a nonwarfare situation. Ünder wartime conditions these standard measures would be extremely difficult to carry out for a large number of victims.

APPENDIX C.-SIDEL'S AND GOLDWYN'S OBJECTIONS TO THE "HUMANE" ARGUMENT 1

Some physicians may accept warfare as a permanent feature of man's activities and may regard chemical and biologic warfare as the most "humane" type yet evolved, particularly when contrasted with napalm, saturation bombing or nuclear warfare. There are 2 principal objections to the "humane" argument:

This position assumes that once Pandora's box of chemical and biologic weapons is opened, only the most benign will come forth. Most of the agents now available either are benign and relatively ineffective or are lethal, permanently crippling and therefore quite effective. From the types of weapons that have been stockpiled for which instructions for offensive tactical use have been issued, it appears more likely that military commanders will select the most effective and therefore the most lethal.

Even if a "humane weapon" is developed its "humanity" will require the delivery, as in the laboratory, of a precisely measured dose to a standard victim. Both these requisites have thus far been impossible to attain in the field. Chemical and biologic weapons are notoriously uneven in their dispersal and therefore in the amount absorbed by each recipient; to insure that every person receives an incapacitating dose, some will have to receive an overdose. Furthermore, the young, the elderly and the infirm will be the particularly susceptible victims.

1 From "Chemical and Biologic Weapons-A Primer" by Victor W. Sidel and Robert M. Goldwyn, in the New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 6, 1966, pp. 21-27.

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APPENDIX D.-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S STATEMENT ON POISON GAS WARFARE1

From time to time since the present war began there have been reports that one or more of the Axis Powers were seriously contemplating use of poisonous or noxious gases or other inhumane devices of warfare.

I have been loath to believe that any nation, even our present enemies, could or would be willing to loose upon mankind such terrible and inhuman weapons. However, evidence that the Axis Powers are making significant preparations indicative of such an intention is being reported with increasing frequency from a variety of sources.

Use of such weapons has been outlawed by the general opinion of civilized mankind. This country has not used them, and I hope that we never will be compelled to use them. I state categorically that we shall under no circumstances resort to the use of such weapons unless they are first used by our enemies.

As President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the American Armed Forces, I want to make clear beyond all doubt to any of our enemies contemplating a resort to such desperate and barbarous methods that acts of this nature committed against any one of the United Nations will be regarded as having been committed against the United States itself and will be treated accordingly. We promise to any perpetrators of such crimes full and swift retaliation in kind, and I feel obliged now to warn the Axis armies and the Axis peoples, in Europe and in Asia, that the terrible consequences of any use of these inhumane methods on their part will be brought down swiftly and surely upon their own heads. Any use of gas by any Axis Power, therefore, will immediately be followed by the fullest possible retaliation upon munition centers, seaports, and other military objectives throughout the whole extent of the territory of such Axis country.

p. 405.

"American War Documents," edited by Cornwell B. Rogers. Current History, vol. 4, August 1943, (47)