DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0102.txt
Page: 0102
Total Pages: 109

Subject: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                       

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         21













                 915.   An essential aspect of medical management in such a situation would be
                 to allay panic. This could be done effectively only if the public could be
                 assured that the cause of the illness is known, the course of the disease can
                 be described with reasonable accuracy and the outcome can be predicted. This
                 type of assurance could be provided only if an accurate etiologic diagnosis
                 can be made shortly after the onset of illness. If this assurance cannot be
                 provided, the reaction of the public might create greater problems than the
                 disease itself. Such rapid diagnosis would comprise two phases. the first
                 being based on clinical observation and epidemiological indications only, the
                 second being based on precise laboratory findings. It should be remembered
                 that special difficulties may be expected because the agent may be exotic to
                 the area which has been attacked, and thus not easily recognized by medical
                 personnel. Further difficulties of a similar kind would occur in cases where
                 genetically modified agents were used.

                 916.   There is little question that many human deaths would occur if an
                 effective altack with a biological agenc were mounted. Even if the so-called
                 incapacitating agents were employed, death would occur particularly among the
                 very young, the very old, and those suffering from underlying disease or some
                 other form of weakening stress. If, however, reasonably adequate shelter can
                 be provided, food and fluid intake can be maintained and specific medication,
                 if applicable, can be distributed and administered, an acceptable level of
                 medical care could be provided for the vast majority of those becoming ill.





















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Document 109 f:/Week-36/BX003203/DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/detection of medical defense against biological :1217960927452
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 21
Subject = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996