PUBLIC DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 24

PUBLIC DEFENCE

BRITISH GAS-MASKS

UNSATISFACTORY ASPECTS

THE GERMAN TYPE

As the odicia] British civilian gasmask is not obtainable ay the public, there is considerable doubf as to whether it is satisfactory, writes the scientific correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian." A group of scientists at Cambridge have studied the public information about this mask and compared it with what is known about available masks. They have concluded that it is cheaper but not so good as the official civilian masks available in Germany, Russia, Switzerland,' Czechoslovakia, and Denmark.

It appears that the most important difference between the British and the foreign masks is in the attachments for fitting it to the wearer's head. The British mask has only one band round the he^d for keeping it in place, whereas virtually all __ other national masks have two bands. This and other features in the design make it more difficult to wear than other masks. The German and Russian m,asks have helmets, which are probably easier for ordinary people to put on.

As the British masks are not available to the public no one can learn how to put them on. Systematic training in this is necessary if the civil population is not to be endangered by panic in times of emergency. It cannot be expected that millions of people will learn instantly how to wear sucji masks and become accustomed to them. ARSENICAL SMOKES. There is some doubt whether, the British mask will keep out poisonous arsenical smokes. It probably shares this defect with other civilian masks, but in this point appfears to be inferior tothe French masks. These are fitted with a paper -filter which transmits virtually n vo smoke. ■; .

The British mask has no outlet valve, so that air cannot be allowed to escape from the mouth and^npse without lifting the mask from the face. -No other civilian mask dispenses with an outlet valve. ; ' !

According to an article in'"Gasschutz and Luftschutz," the German periodical] dealing with anti-gas and anti-air raid precautions, by Dr. Mielenz, the construction of a satisfactory civilian mask is difficult. The perman authorities worked on the problem for a long time and did not announce their solution until 'they were convinced that they had produced the 'best civilian mask available in the world. He states that they rejected masks which did not provide adequate protection from all concentrations thatomight reasonably be expected,in practice, and, in particular have not adopted a mask which will give "psychological comfort" and confidence without being adequately protective. .

The civilian mask which they have produced is named the Volksgasmaske V.M. 37. It consists of an elastic rubber cap with windows, with a connecting part for, the filter, and two valves, one for drawing in,air;and the other for expiration. • * ADJUSTABLE AFFAIR, The mask tn^y be adjusted to heads of different size by a band with buttons at the back. The mask fits the face closely, so that there is no dead air between it and the face, and it is less ugly than most masks. The.windows are made of cellophane and fitted with ,non-dimmihg, discs which are not obscured by. moisture even after the.mask has been "worn for some hours.' :

The chemical niters are designed to give as much protection as those, in military masks, for, Dr. Mielenz siiys, chemical warfare does not'distinguish between combatant and non-combatant -persons. However, it is permissible to arrange.thatthe civilian masks will not give/complete protection for such long periods as military masks,: as the wearers of them will generally be able to-seek some shelter.

The;masks are made m three sizes for men, women, and children. The Germans have rejected the British plan for storing the masks in official depots, as that prevents learning how to use them. They have issued instructions as to how they should be kept. They should be protected against frost, moisture, and heat, and should not be scratched by sharp finger-nails. The mask should" be cleaned after use with rags and soapy water,-but should not be put in the sun or near a fire to dry. ■; The masks ,are to be sold at depots in the various districts, where officials will give instruction in their use. It is proposed to have a gas-proof test room where-purchasers can test: the efficiency of their masks for themselves. . EFFECT OF BEARDS. ■ Thick hair does not disturb the fitting of the mask, nor an unshaven face or a short beard. Many other,masks are 'seriouslyi upset by unshaven hair. The Czechoslovakian shoe magnate Bata is manufacturing three types of masks." ' Onel of these is for. civilians. It is made of rubber and has a rough inside surface in order ,to prevent sticking to the face. They also make an anti-gas perambulator for babies. While it is being wheeled air is automatically forced inside by a pump attached to one of the wheels. When the perambulator stands still -this is done with a hand pump. The Soviet civilian gas-mask weighs about one and a half pounds with the case. It will afford protection against mustard gas at maximum concentration in summer temperatures for 'ten hours. It is made in four sizes. A special mask for babies has been devised by Mr. Levin. This consists of a bag which fits* over the baby s body and tightly around the waist. According to the inventor, it. will give protection for one hour, and has been tried successfully on a child six months 01A study of anti-gas literature raises many questions concerning the quality of the British civilian mask and the satisfactoriness of the organisation for their use. More public discussion and explanation is needed.