Archive of Vintage WWI and WWII Military Manuals on Gas and Chemical Warfare
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the usage of poisonous gasses and chemicals in 20th century warfare.
Dates
- Creation: 1917-1943
Conditions Governing Access
All collections are subject to applicable Vanderbilt University privacy and confidentiality policies. Collection specific restrictions: No Restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
World War I was the first large scale usage of chemicals and gas like tear gas, chlorine, mustard gas, and phosgene as a weapon on the battlefield. Although designated as a war crime by the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, and its use being prohibited by the Geneva Protocol of 1925, its use continues to the present day. Widespread use of chemical weapons has diminished since World War II given their effectiveness being greatly diminished through the usage of countermeasures like gas masks and protective clothing. Additionally, overwhelming public sentiment against the indiscriminate use of chemicals and gas and its horrific consequences led its decline.
Full Extent
0.19 Cubic Feet (1 half-holinger box)
Language of Materials
English
French
Abstract
Collection of 11 government publications and manuals related to the use poisonous gases and chemicals in warfare that were published during and between the two world wars. with most of the publications being from the United Kingdom (including one published in India), two from the United States, and one from France. The publications describe both the use and the effects of gas and chemicals as well as precautions used protect against chemical attacks. Four manuals relate to the medical aspects of gas and chemical warfare and describe first aid, diagnosis and treatment.
Physical Location
EBL History of Medicine Collections Room
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection was purchased in 2023
Processing Information
Collection was processed in 2023 and revised in 2025.
- Title
- Archive of Vintage WWI and WWII Military Manuals on Gas and Chemical Warfare
- Author
- History of Medicine Collections Staff
- Date
- 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the History of Medicine Manuscripts Collection Repository
Eskind Biomedical Library
2209 Garland Ave.
Nashville TN 37232
historyofmedicine@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.