ACQUIRED HYPERSENSITIVITY TO THE CHLORINATED ETHYLAMINE VESICANTS

Abstract

In 1935 Ward 1 reported briefly on the vesicant qualities of β, β′, β″ -trichlorotriethylamine, either as the base or as the hydrochloride. He suggested that with nitrogen compounds three chloroethyl groups are necessary before vesicant action may be noted. REPORT OF CASE To test a person known to be very sensitive to bis- β -dichlorodiethylsulfide (mustard agent), β, β′, β″ -trichlorotriethylamine hydrochloride was prepared in the manner described by Ward and isolated in the form of clear white crystals. The free amine ( β, β′, β″ -trichlorotriethylamine) was obtained from the hydrochloride by treating an aqueous solution of the latter with a sodium carbonate solution. The free amine separated as an oil, colored slightly brown but darkened slowly on standing. The crystals of the hydrochloride were suspended in alcohol (95 per cent) and applied on the flexor surface of the forearm. A drop was applied with a metal