Protective Ointments
The extensive use of mustard gas on the field caused the men to be exposed to low concentrations of the vapors for extended periods of time. Since it did not seem feasible to furnish the men with special fighting suits, which would protect them against these vapors, it was desirable to provide protection in the form of an ointment which could be applied to the body. In order to be satisfactory an ointment should have the following properties:
(a) It should protect against saturated mustard gas during the longest possible exposure.
(b) Its protective action should last as long as possible after the application of the ointment. It was felt that the ointment should give protection for 24 hours after it is applied, even if the body is perspiring freely.
(c) The material should not be easily rubbed off under the clothing.
(d) It should be non-irritating to the membranes of the body.
(e) There should be no likelihood of toxic after-effects on long use.
(f) It should be of a good consistency under a fairly wide temperature range and give a good coating at the temperature of the body.
(g) Its method of manufacture should be simple and rapid, and the raw materials required should be abundant.
(h) The cost should not be excessive.