Lesions of human bronchial tract caused by incendiary bombs containing phosphorus.

Abstract

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to investigate and answer the question whether gases (oxides) of phosphorus cause lesions of the human bronchial tract. In order to investigate this subject guinea pigs were used for the experiment. A number of them were exposed to the oxides of burning phosphorus in order to confirm certain clinical suspicions that arose from the actual subjection of human beings to the toxic effects of phosphorus bombs. This kind of research is of practical value not only to actual combat troops but also to civilians far from the battle zone, since nations in modern warfare use phosphorus bombs extensively. This type of bomb was used with considerable success during World War II and in Korea. According to the modern conception of warfare, civilians are also exposed to the effects of phosphorus bombs. As such, civilians have the right to know how a phosphorus bomb acts