History of Lewisite

This chapter shows how the search for historical information must involve writings, books, and even speeches by important figures (such as commanding officers) at a site long after they have lefL At the AUES, it was important to learn all that could be found out about Lewisite and the where, how, what, why, and when it was made and used. Lewisite contains arsenic and thus a residual poison will exist after 85 years. 

The person credited with its discovery, Capt W. Lee Lewis, wrote and gave speeches about Lewisite long after the war was over. These articles and speeches provided important information that helped the regulators learn where to search for arsenic. 

The Merck Index, an annual encyclopedia of chemicals and drugs, states for Lewisite Caution Extremely toxic Produces severe vesication, even through rubber. If left on skin, as little as 0.5 ml may give rise to sufficient absorption to produce severe systemic effects 2 ml may cause death. (Similar warnings do not accompany the other war gases.) 

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The speech was found by Joel Vilensky, an accomplished scientist with whom the District of Columbia has collaborated on another chemical weapon site. He has written an excellent book on the history of Lewisite called The Dew of Death (2005). Capt. Lewis states ... 

Lewisite is the only vesicant with a proven antidote—British anti-lewisite (2,3-dimercaptopropa-nol). Increasing antioxidant levels have been found to be protective against the mustards analog, NAC. NAC, which we have used in our studies with CEES, is immediately clinically available. It is most commonly used for acetaminophen overdose. NAC has a long history of several gram quantities administered in several doses and has minimal adverse reactions. In the case of acetaminophen overdose, it is administered via the oral-gastric route, which increases hepatic GSH levels, and in turn, suppresses inflammatory cytokines (Dambach et al., 2006). Liposome encapsulation of both water- and fat-soluble antioxidants was proven to be more effective in the suppression of OS than the free molecule of NAC. 

The differential diagnosis of mustard casualties on the battlefield after a known chemical attack is not difficult. The history of a chemical attack is useful, particularly if the chemical agent is known. Simply questioning the casualty about when the pain started, whether it started immediately after the exposure or hours later, is very helpful. Pain from Lewisite (the other vesicant that causes blistering) begins seconds to minutes after exposure pain from mustard does not begin until the lesion begins to develop hours later. 

Lewisite exposure can be distinguished from mustard exposure by the history of pain on contact with the agent. Phosgene oxime also causes pain on contact, but phosgene oxime does not produce a... 

Winfred Lee Lewis is credited with the discovery and refinement of Lewisite, one of the most toxic gases developed during this period and one that remained in our arsenal until the treaty banning chemical weapons. The relevant parts of this speech are reproduced here to get a good understanding of the history of the effort and how the work was actually accomplished. 

History and Background Information Lewisite (also known as Agent L) is no longer considered a state-of-the-art chemical warfare agent (Franke, 1967 Goldman and Dacre, 1989). Lewisite is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce (Franke, 1967). 

Vilensky JA and Redman K (2003) British anti-lewisite (dimercaprol) An amazing history. Annals of Emergency Medicine 41 378-383. 

Organoarsenic compounds have a history not just for good (see Salvarsan above), but also for use as poison gas in World War I. Lewisite (GlGH=GHAsGl2) was tested but luckily never used. Research into possible antidotes led to the development of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, known as mercaprol or British anti-Lewisite (BAL). This compound to... 

Jones, Chemical Warfare Research during World War I, 176-79. The Story of the Development Division, Chemical Warfare Service, 180-82, gives a brief overview of the Development Division, which used General Electric facilities. (The report notes incorrectly that Lewisite was dubbed G-34, which was actually the code name for mustard gas. To fool the potential spies. Lewisite and related chlorarsines were new G-34, PI, and P2. Chlorpicrin was SI phosgene L3.) The CWS also began construction on another plant for Lewisite (diphenylchloroarsine) in Croyland, Peimsylvania. Crowell, America s Munitions, 399 McPherson, Report of the Director of Outside Plants, pp. 3-A, NARA, RG 175, entry 8, box 14. Harry M. St. John, Standard Methods for the Manufacture of New G-34, Development Division, Chemical Warfare Service, United States Army, Nela Park, Cleveland, Ohio, approved by F. M. Dorsey, March 29, 1919, a copy of which is held at the U S. Army Military History Institute,... 

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