NEW SPECTACLES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21211, 6 September 1940, Page 7

NEW SPECTACLES

SECOND ECHELON MEN EXPERIENCE WITH TEAR GAS (From the official war correspondent with the N.Z. Forces in Great Britain). ALDERSHOT. August G Opportunity has lately been taken to complete details of equipment, particularly in the case of men whose requirements differ from those of the majority. Thus ail who wear spectacles reguiarJy have been supplied with two pairs fitted with flat stems in place ui the usual round stems. These sit closely against the side of the head and enable the wearer to wear also his gas mask without danger of its leaking where the rubber rides on specr.cle stems. The special glasses, the lenses of which are similar in strength to those the soldier ordinarily wears, are supplied free. Again, all gas masks are being tested in use, to ensure that they fit closely and permit no leakage. After fitting his mask, every man is parsed into a chamber neaviiy charged with tear gas, and kept there for about five minutes. He soon, knows if tear gas is getting past nis mask, and if it :s he raises one hand. Thereupon he is taken outside and the fitting of his mask adjusted before he returns to til 2 chamber. Method of Convincing A mask is not passed as correct until there is no suspicion of leakage. And as each one is passed the wearer is marched back through the chamber without his mask—to convince him that he was being protected during the five minutes of his stay! He emerges with eves streaming and smarting, and is warned not to rub them. In three or four minutes the inconvenience has passed, but by that time the soldier has developed a new affection for his mask. There are no permanent effects of tear gas. On the other hand, a mask which protects from it will protect from any other known gas.