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Remembered Today:

Sneezing powder


jay dubaya

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Hi folks,

I've just come across a reference to the use of sneezing powder used prior to a gas attack. The Germans having realised that the masks wouldn't filter the stuff and the troops would have to remove their masks just in time for the for the arrival of gas. Is there any truth in the use of sneezing powder?

Jon

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Yes it's true. These types of agents, which are non lethal except in very large doses, are called sternutators. They can cause much more than sneezing fits. During WW1 Diphenylchlorarsine, delivered in high explosive shells ("blue cross" shells), was the type used by the Germans. This irritant was in the form of a powder, and would enter the mouth and nose through the respirator's filter. It brought about fits of sneezing, vomiting, nausea and severe mucus build up. It was used in combination with lethal asphyxiating agents like phosgene ("green cross" shells). The idea was that the effects of the diphenylchlorarsine would force the wearer to remove his mask prematurely; he would then be exposed to the lethal gas.

Hans

Below are two German leather gas masks with 11-C-11 filters introduced in 1917. The left filter has a snap on attachment containing a dust filter which was designed to keep out this particular agent.

100_1984-copy.jpg

Another view of the filter with attachment.

100_1025-copy.jpg

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Many thanks for the reply Grabenhelm, I find it truely amazing that such tactics were used. Are there any details of how widely it was used and by which armies?

Jon

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No snuff is merely powdered tobacco and if it causes sneezing this indicates that it is either a pretty cheap variety or the imbiber is very inexperienced and is taking the wrong quantity.

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  • 4 weeks later...
I find it truely amazing that such tactics were used.

It would be a natural esculation and solution to the problem of gas being filtered by gas masks.

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