NEW LIGHT ON PULMONARY EDEMA FROM STUDY OF THE LETHAL WAR GASES

The lethal gases about which so much has been heard since they were first introduced into modern warfare in an extensive way are respiratory irritants. They produce a pulmonary edema, along with congestion and a series of symptoms that are either caused by the pulmonary condition or are concomitant with it. Obviously, the rational treatment of gas poisoning depends on a clear understanding of the factors that are concerned in these varied symptoms; and consequently much attention was devoted by the scientists of the allied governments during the war to unraveling the mysteries of the pathology of gas poisoning. In his Harvey Lecture, Underhill¹ has disclosed new facts of prominent interest elicited through the extensive investigations of the Chemical Warfare Service of the United States Army. According to these, in addition to pulmonary edema, "gassing has a definite influence on the respiration, heart beat, temperature, the concentration of the