Mustard deaths related

Effects of orally administered sulfur mustard in rats were studied by Sasser et al. (1996a). Repeated gavage administration of sulfur mustard in sesame oil produced epithelial hyperplasia of the forestomach at the highest dose tested but no deaths and no other treatment-related pathological lesions or changes in clinical chemistry or hematological parameters. 

Similar to the work on sulfur mustard, Sasser et al. (1989a) conducted experiments in rats given lewisite by gastric intubation (in sesame oil) at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. A dose-related response was observed for lethality (deaths in the three... 

Mustard-related death occurs in about 3% of the casualties who reach a Medical Treatment Facility of those who die, most die 4 or more days after exposure (Gilchrist, 1928). Of the casualties who died, 84% required at least 4 days of hospitalization. The causes of death are pulmonary insufficiency from airway damage, superimposed infection, and sepsis. Rarely, the amount of mustard will be overwhelming and cause death within 1-2 days in these circumstances, death will be due to neurological factors or massive airway damage (Graef et al., 1948 Heully and... 

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