GERMANS USE NEW POISON

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9796, 20 October 1917, Page 3

GERMANS USE NEW POISON

ITS TERRIBLE EFFECTS,

British medical officers are trying to determine the nature of the new poison used, it is believed for the first time, by the Germans on the Preach town of Armcntieros, near the Belgian frontier, say* a despatch from Hnzebrouck, rranee. The poison bears a certain resemblance to the gas which temporarily 01 hided a large number of British, troops a fortnight previously, but its effects are infinitely more serious. A number of persons taken from Armenheres are in *i grave condition. Many have died in hospitals at Hazebrouck, Aire-on-the-Lys. and particularly at St. Pol-on-the-Ternside, where most of the victims were taken.

The first time tlie new poison was observed it coincided with the firing into the town of a hail of small shells of a calibre insufficient to break the paving. These contain neither powder nor gas, but a colorless liquid which spreads over thoysoib in the streets, courtyards, and gardens, where the shells burst, traces of the noxious liquids may be found hours afterwards.

As the liquid evaporate.? it produces a heavr gas which penetrates from room to room and descends info cellars. It is tenacious in character, and seems to to make more victims among women than men, clinging about the hair. The fumes of tobacco sccin to act as an antidote in tiie ca>e of men.

The odour is variously described as resembling that of acetylene, mignonette, or pungent mustard. Its cl Teels are not immediate. Some inhabitants of Armentieres who inhaled the emanations in the forenoon returned home without experiencing anv ill effects, and look luncheon; but five or six hours later they were obliged to take to bed. and their condition became gradually worse. The victim* at first were affected in the bronchial tubes, then their eyes swnllod. and eventually thev lost their sight. Tlm.-e symotoms were accompanied by a feeling of burning inside and an incessant cough and fever. The skin turned an earthy colour, and in several cases death followed rapidly. Occasionul'v in addition to the .symptoms mentioned, the victims were affected bv terrible hallucinations and delirious laughter.