Gas as a biological weapon

 Gas was invented as a terror weapon in WWI to a create panic and confusion along enemy lines prior to an attack. Most of the time, tear gas was used as a weapon to bring down soldier's morale and inflicted a similar amount of pain as mustard gas. Occasionally, tear gas would be delivered first to make soldiers remove their gas masks, and then the poisonous types would be sent over later.

                                                           

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The first tear gas grenades were used by the French Army. Later, the Germans started using the gas by shooting them out of mortars. Grenades containing poison gas and shells from artillery would also strike gas onto their enemy's lines. Other times gas was released by turning the handle on each cylinder. Although, the user had to be weary of the fact that the wind might carry the gas toward their lines. Soldiers first used a urine drenched cloth held over their face to serve as a gas mask.

                                            

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The effects of tear gas or xylyl bromide caused temporary blindness and greatly inflamed the nose and throat of their victims. When chlorine was released, within seconds of inhaling its vapor, the respiratory organs were destroyed and choking attacks would occur. Phosgene caused inhalers to violently cough and choke. It was stronger than chlorine and potentially fatal. Mustard gas caused internal and external blisters. It was hard to distinguish on the front because it was an almost odorless chemical and its effects were brought on several hours after exposure. The Mustard gas could remain in trenches for weeks after it was unveiled.

                                        

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Sources:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm
http://www.diggerhistory.info/page-weapons/gas.htm

Made By: Brandon and Cody