JOURNAL OF MILITARY MEDICINE
Year:2002 | Volume:4 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

In a decade, prediction of microbial mass dispersion in the case of biological weapon attack is modeled by several authors. The model presented in this study is a computer program based on diffusion-dispersion theory. By use of this program, a multi source model, instantaneous and continuous source models and also microorganism die-off due to environmental factors (decay constant) can be examined. A 2000×2000 m2 field is considered to estimate graphically living bacterial concentration. Data could be collected from meteorological and laboratory sources. Atmospheric stability, humidity and irradiation intensity is also considered. Downwind respirable viable cells (pathogens) and non-viable cells (Allergens) are calculated.

During the holy defense (Iran-Iraq war), Medical department of Sepah has attained valuable experiences in numerous fields, including pharmaceutical and medical equipment and services. The medical personnel of Sepah were responsible for the health-care support of the military units in various operations and environmental situations. One of these operations, Valfajr 4, due to its particular circumstances (i.e. taking place in an area of 600-square kilometer solid mountainous region), is of high significance. The purpose of this article is to discuss the methods of providing medical services, supplying, preserving, delivering and transporting mdications in such adversities and thus registering this event in the medical history of war for possible future reference.

In an examination of 3000 victims of chemical war injury exposed to sulfur mustard gas during the years 1983-1988, the following hematologic dyscrasias were observed during 1983 to 1996. Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) in seven, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in six, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in two, hairy cell leukemia in one, Hodgkins disease in three, non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in four, immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPID) in two and aplastic anemia in five individuals. In the same period, the newly diagnosed cases included 31 ANLL, 19 ALL, 8 CML, 3 hairy cellleukemia, 19 Hodgkins disease, 41 NHL, 5 IPSID and 9 aplastic anemia per 100,000 adult general populations. The calculated relative risks for developing the aforementioned diseases in the victims exposed to mustard gas are 8 for ANLL, 11 for ALL, 8 for CML, 11 for hairy cell leukemia, 5 for Hodgkins disease. Therefore, 3 for NHL, 13 for IPSID and 19 for aplastic anemia. Although there is no documented report of ALL associated with mustard gas exposure, we obtained a risk factor of 11 with a very short latency period after exposure (mean of 5 months).

After 14 years from the imposed war, people are still suffering from complications which have been caused by Iraqi chemical attacks. So considering the early and late complication caused by exposure of different systems of body, specially respiratory system, to the chemical warfare agents, and the late polmunary effects of mustard was examined in chemical victims. This study is descriptive which was done on chemical disables of Kashan city, after getting their names from disable organization, they were invited to take part in the research. From 150 people of chemical victims of kashan city only 87 people (58%) took part in this study and the others (63 persons) 42 percent didn't take part in the study. The most common clinical signs were cianosis (27.6%), krakle (23%) and vizing (9.2%) and the most ascultation findings were kracle and vizing. Most of the patients (57 persons) 65.5% had once history of contamination and 21 persons (22.9%) twice, 9 persons (10.3%) three times and, interestingly, clinical signs were more common in persons with once history of contamination than the others. Considaring the findings of the study and comparing with previous studies, pulmonary complications had been progressive and condition of these patients has been deteriorating. Since most of these people are in duty, it is necessary to pay more attention to their condition of health.

War is the worst event in human history and captivity is an unavoidable result of it. Treaties and provisions of the geneva are the only international regulations which must be observed in relation to the prisoners of war. However, reports of the Red Cross Society demonstrated the torture and persecution of the Iranian prisoners of war in Iraq. To determine distribution of diseases in 263 prisoners of war this study was designed. During the war 36.5% of total were hit, 14.4% were exposed to chemical agents and 17.1% lost their hearing. During captivity diseases were 65.4%, trauma disorders 59%, gastritis and peptic ulcers 27.4%. After freedom, medical examination demonstrated: gastritis 30.4%, dental diseases 31 %, post traumatic disorder 26.6%, depression 18%, tension headache 21% and hearing loss 22.4%. This study shows that quantity and quality of health service were unfavorable. Torture and persecution had affected their health. In conclusion, good cares and health attention for prisoners are recommended.

Excessive noise of using transportation equipment in environment can cause damage to human health. In this study, the level of noise and it's characteristics in different conditions and also in two different tank carriers (KINDS & TITAN) were evaluated. This study was based on measuring and analysis of noise in environment & local situation by using standard instrument and its calibration. The rate of noise and analysis of data could be shown which kind of tanks is suitable for individual person. The result of this study indicated that the sound level of TITAN tank carrier is less than sound level of KYNDS tank carrier. TITAN and its room can be decreased the sound level from 79.8 dB to 66.4 dB, but KINDS and its room could be decreased from 878.7 to 81.1 dB.

According to the WHO report, the rate of respiratory infections is still more than the other infections and all preventional programs have not been able to decrease the transmission rate of disease through the air, in spite of various recommendations. It is quite reasonable to assume that, in the case of bioterrorism attack, a large number of the people will be affected. Therefore study of the viability of the bioaerosols and involved parameters seems to be necessary. This study can provide good information for designing a computer program to predict the number of affected people and the borders of contaminated area, to provide a good defense against the biological attack, and to decrease the mortality and morbidity in a number of different ways such as gravitational setting of the particles. Also we will suggest some recommendation for a better personnel protection and safety of the buildings to prevent further infections.

Man kind has always been vulnerable to unexpected events and disasters, which have cost so many lives and so much money. In such catastrophes, because of vast and complicated problems, there is an inevitable need for extensive cooperation. Nowadays among the organizations, which are actively involved, is the army and its affiliations. Due to specialized training, army forces can maneuver in various fields, accomplish different tasks and services. Among these roles are taking part in rescue procedures, medical treatment and transportation of the casualties and generally those in need, which is the responsibility of the military medicine. Utilizing the medical personnel (in different levels), medications, medical equipment, and other communicative facilities help the military medical personnel in accomplishing their duties. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of the army forces in catastrophes with emphasis on military medicine and their methods of rendering such services.

A number of studies related to wars have delineated variables that prevent of promote the individual's ability to cope with combat stress. The proposed model is interactional in that it posits a number of antecedent variables acting through mediating variables to affect the individual's appraisal of the combat situation. The antecedent variables comprised of the individual factors, unit factors and battlefield factors. Individual includes personality factors, nonmilitary stress, prior combat exposure, and role in combat. Unit factors refer to cohesion and type of morale, training, leadership, and commitment. Battlefield factors can be summarized as type of battle, surprise and uncertainty, and environmental factors. The most important mediating variables are cognitive components including interpretations, expectations, form of presentation, and appraisal of combat situation. Based on the individual and mediating variables, the modes of response to stressful combat situations may be established in different categories such as physical, emotional, cognitive and social. Finally, an integrated mode of coping can be established through these modes of responses ranging from various results at activity to passivity to actual breakdown.

Burn and its complications are important problem during wars and specially in modern wars. So rapid management of burn casualty is a medical emergency. Physicians and care workers should be aware. The initial management of burns, like all other traumas, follows the ABCDE approach. The outline management plan assumes the availability of certain medical supplies but even simple measures are invaluable in burn care if they are all that is available. The most basic supplies required to resuscitate a casualty are oral salt and water in appropriate-volumes. Similarly it should be possible in field conditions to monitor vital signs and urine output, dress the bums with clingfilm or plastic bags and wrap the casualty in absorbent materials.