Two years of effort by many individuals at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense came to fruition recently with the publication of the second edition of the "Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare textbook."
The volume is one of 18 in the series Textbooks of Military Medicine, which is produced by the Borden Institute, an agency of the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School.
Lieutenant Colonel Shirley D. Tuorinsky, who during the volume's preparation was a member of MRICD's Chemical Casualty Care Division, served as the senior editor of the book, and MRICD's Dr. Margaret Filbert, now retired, served as the associate editor. Other support for the book's preparation was provided by operational security, editorial, graphics and library staff members.
Many of MRICD's scientists and medical professionals served as subject matter editors and peer review board members for the volume. In addition, they authored or coauthored nearly all of the book's 23 chapters, which discuss various types of chemical warfare agents, decontamination, long-term health effects, triage of chemical casualties and chemical detection equipment.
Historical perspectives of chemical warfare, including the history of the chemical threat and of the medical management of chemical casualties, are also provided. Moreover, this second edition goes further than the first to discuss therapeutic measures and medical diagnostics as well as domestic preparedness.
The textbook is dedicated to the memory of two notable MRICD employees: Dr. Frederick Sidell, who is responsible for developing chemical defense training and education, and Dr. Brennie E. Hackley Jr., MRICD's former scientific advisor as well as an instructor for the institute's training in the medical management of chemical casualties, who made significant contributions to the medical chemical defense research program.
Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker, The Surgeon General of the Army, calls the textbook "the most comprehensive source of information available on chemical agents."
"It will serve to both enhance the knowledge and skills and increase the level of preparedness and response capability of those responsible for chemical casualty care," continued Schoomaker.
Major General George Weightman, former commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, said of the textbook, "This expanded second edition will not only continue to be an essential reference tool for the military, but should also become a requisite guide for civilian health care providers, for first responders, and for government agencies responsible for emergency preparedness, response and management."
According to the Borden Institute, active duty Soldiers are eligible for one free copy of the text, which can be ordered from www.bordeninstitute.army.mil. The text book is also available for purchase from the Government Printing Office.
For more information, call 410-436-1866.
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