Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook: Part I: Types of Wounds and Injuries: Chapter VI: Chemical Injury
United States Department of Defense
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Table 4 provides rough initial identification guidance based on the time lag between CW agent exposure and onset of symptoms and signs. Table 5 then aids in diagnostic differentiation once the early signs and symptoms of chemical exposure are established.
|
Precipitous Onset |
Rapid Onset |
Delayed Onset |
|
Choking Agent: CL |
Inhaled Nerve Agent |
Absorbed Nerve Agent |
|
Blister Agent: L |
Blood Agent |
Inhaled Blister Agent |
|
Incap Agent |
Liquid in Eye: HD |
Choking Agent: CX |
Table 5. - Early Signs and Symptoms of Chemical
Exposure
|
|
|
|
|
CNS |
convulsions |
nerve; blood |
|
|
confusion, odd behavior |
incap |
|
|
stupor |
any agent |
|
Respiration |
copious oro-nasal secretions |
nerve |
|
|
chest pain, wheezing |
nerve; choking; blister |
|
|
frothy sputum |
blister; choking |
|
|
hyperpnea, dyspnea |
choking; blister; blood |
|
|
apnea |
nerve; blood |
|
|
cyanosis |
blood; nerve; choking |
|
Circulation |
bradycardia |
nerve; blood |
|
|
tachycardia |
blood; nerver; incap |
|
|
shock |
any agent |
|
Skin |
hot, dry, flushed |
incap |
|
|
vesication |
blister |
|
|
pain on contact |
lewisite |
|
|
muscle tremors |
nerve |
|
|
erythema |
unknown liquid |
|
GI/GU |
involuntary evacuation |
nerve |
|
|
vomiting |
any agent |
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