Attempts at a SolutionAfter the first battle in which the Germans deployed chemical weapons, the Ally troops realized they needed a way to protect themselves from the dangerous physiological and biological effects of the gas. It was found that the ammonia in urine neutralized the gas, so soldiers were provided with cotton masks and instructed to urinate on them. Wearing them worked somewhat, but it didn't protect completely. Soaking the cotton masks in a bicarbonate of soda (or baking soda) proved more efficient, and this method was used for quite some time.
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am·mo·nia noun \ə-ˈmō-nyə\a: colorless gas or liquid that has a strong smell and taste and that is used especially in cleaning products. Produced industrially and also naturally found in humans and nature.
Technological AdvancesWhen both sides started using chemical weapons, protection became even more important, and certain technological advancements were necessary. The Hypo Helmet, which completely covered a soldier's face, was introduced by the British military. New, better neutralizing chemicals were also introduced: sodium hyposulphite and glycerine. They were mixed to make "hypo solution" The Hypo Helmet would be soaked in this and thrown over the head. It was very crude and the eyepiece easily broke, but in this case it was really the thought that counts. Many soldiers wrote in their war diaries about how the Hypo Helmet boosted morale, despite its many flaws. It helped, knowing that something was being done about the gas, instead of them just being let loose only to be slaughtered by chemical weapons.
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glyc·er·ine noun \ˈglis-ə-ˌrȯl, -ˌrōl: a sweet syrupy hygroscopic trihydroxy alcohol C3H8O3 usually obtained by the saponification of fats and used especially as a solvent and plasticizer, as a moistening agent, emollient, and lubricant, and as an emulsifying agent.
neu·tral·ize verb\ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz, ˈnyü-\: to stop (someone or something) from being effective or harmful
The Final ProductThe first truly effective gas masks, called respirators, were introduced by both sides in 1918, the fourth and final year of the war. Early prototypes were made of fabric soaked in neutralizing chemicals. The glass eyepieces held up well. Often the filter was separate, connected to the mask through a tube and placed in a pocket. Better models had the filter attached to the mask itself, and were sometimes made of rubber instead of cloth. They were clunky and made shooting difficult, but were necessary. Filters usually contained charcoal, and masks were made for war horses and dogs as well. These are the basis for gas masks we are familiar with today.
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char·coal noun \ˈchär-ˌkōl\ a dark or black porous carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances (as from wood by charring in a kiln from which air is excluded)
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Citations:
Black, Larry Krieger, Phillip Naylor, and Dahia Ibo Shabaka. Modern World History Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2007. Print.
Duffy, Michael. "Chlorine Gas." Weapons of War n.pag. First World war. Web. 29 Jan 2014. <http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm>.
Truman, Chris. "Gas Masks in World War One." Gas Masks in World War One. UK History Educators, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gas_masks_in_world_war_one.htm>
Various Troops of WWI. "Operation War Diary." Operation War Diary. UK National Archives, 12 Jan. 2014. Web. 09 Feb. 2014. <http://www.operationwardiary.org>.
"Ammonia." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammonia>.
"Glycerin." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycerin>
"Neutralize." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutralize>.
Black, Larry Krieger, Phillip Naylor, and Dahia Ibo Shabaka. Modern World History Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2007. Print.
Duffy, Michael. "Chlorine Gas." Weapons of War n.pag. First World war. Web. 29 Jan 2014. <http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm>.
Truman, Chris. "Gas Masks in World War One." Gas Masks in World War One. UK History Educators, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gas_masks_in_world_war_one.htm>
Various Troops of WWI. "Operation War Diary." Operation War Diary. UK National Archives, 12 Jan. 2014. Web. 09 Feb. 2014. <http://www.operationwardiary.org>.
"Ammonia." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammonia>.
"Glycerin." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycerin>
"Neutralize." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutralize>.
This page is by Ross K.