ANTI-GAS RESPIRATORS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 5

ANTI-GAS RESPIRATORS

PATE OF AN AUSTRALIAN ; INVENTION.

Shortly after.the Germans first introHuced asphyxiating gases as an offensive Weapon, the Commonwealth Government undertook the manufacture of a large number of anti-gas respirators, which ■were intended for the protection of Australian troops serving at Gallipoli. The respirators were modelled on an invention which was the joint product of Eeveral university professors, including Professors; Masson, OBborne; and Laby. ffho invention was favourably reported Xipon by Professor Starling, of England, tin eminent physiologist, and apparently [without, troubling to obtain further advice or communicatin"; with the Imperial authorities the .. Defence Department issued orders on a large 1 scale for. the manufacture of tho necessary parts. When' thoy were delivered they were assembled at the University, the professors responsible for tho design of the appara. tua undertaking' this work voluntarily. 'In all about 10,000 respirators wore put together, and for several weeks all hands .were working overtime at the University assisting in the task. Eventually, the gas protectors were shipped overseas, and lor all practical purposes that was the last of them so far ns the troops were concerned.- The Turks, never employed gas at Gallipoli, and there was, therefore, no need to bring the respirators into use. Later on, when the Australians moved to France, tho respirators were found to.be out of .date, the Germans by that time having developed new.forms ot asphyxiating gas against which the Australian apparatus afforded no protection. .It is now Teportod that tho entire consignment, comprising 10,000 respirators, which cost the taxpayers of Australia nbbut .£SOOO, was recently auctioned in London, and realised a sum of ,£B7, the purchaser buying the articles for their .value as old rubber.