nerve gas

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nerve gas

nerve gas any of several poison gases intended for military use, e.g., tabun , sarin , soman , and VX . Nerve gases were first developed by Germany during World War II but were not used at that time. These gases generally cause death by asphyxiation, often preceded by such symptoms as blurred vision, excessive salivation, and convulsions. Physiologically, the toxic effect of nerve gases arises because they inactivate the enzyme cholinesterase, which normally controls the transmission of nerve impulses; the impulses continue without control, causing breakdown of respiration and other body functions. Atropine is an effective antidote against most nerve gases. See also chemical warfare .

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nerve gas

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Â© A Dictionary of Nursing 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

nerve gas n. any gas that disrupts the normal functioning of nerves and thus of the muscles they supply.

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nerve gas

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Â© The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

nerve gas a chemical weapon that interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses and particularly impairs respiration. Most types of nerve gas are derivatives of phosphoric acid.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Nerve gas veteran refuses cash and waits for apology. Newspaper article from: Whitby Gazette (Whitby, England); 1/22/2008
	Nerve gas: America's fifteen-year struggle for modern chemical weapons. Magazine article from: CML Army Chemical Review; 1/1/2006
	'Admit using nerve gas on prisoners'. Newspaper article from: Derry Journal (Derry, Northern Ireland); 5/9/2008

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	From simple products, chemists develop foam to fight nerve gases Ingredients in hair creams, toothpaste could neutralize poison, microbes Newspaper article from: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; 3/22/1999; ; 700+ words ; ...and biological agents, including nerve and mustard gases, and disease viruses and bacteria...terrorist attack. "A shot of nerve gas or anthrax bacillus on, say...was touched by even a droplet of nerve agent could not be saved by the...
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	U.S. Forces Better Equipped for Chemical, Biological Warfare; Facing Nerve Gases and Germ Agents, Troops Still Lack Protection, Detection Devices Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 2/8/1998; ; 700+ words ; ...officials acknowledged afterward that had Iraq launched the nerve gases or germ agents it had stockpiled, American troops could...substances as anthrax, botulinum toxin, and sarin and VX gases. And the Pentagon has taken some extra protective measures...
	NERVE GAS USED ON DEFECTING VIETNAM GIS, REPORT SAYS.(News) Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA); 6/8/1998; 700+ words ; The U.S. military used nerve gas on a mission to kill Americans who...Turner told the AP yesterday. The nerve gas, sarin, is the same gas used three...true makeup was widely known. ``Nerve gas, the government don't want it...
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