20th Century British Anti-Gas Ointment No.2 set complete in tin box.

[numbersix]

In Britain, after the Great War, there was a fear that the next war would involve the use of Mustard Gas and the like. To defend against such use British troops were issued with anti-gas equipment, including OINTMENT ANTI-GAS No. 2. This tin holds 8 tubes of anti-gas ointment (Chloramine-T and vanishing cream), which, as an alkali, was intended to neutralise Mustard Gas; they are made by UMP Co. The tin has instructions for use printed on the base. There are some ink stamps on the inside of the lid but I cannot fully discern what they state (??T4 in part); on the back edge of the tin, above the hinge for the lid, it is marked TPP.

This belongs to a family friend who has kept it, unopened, since World War Two when it had been issued to a relative in the Army. There are at least 6 types of anti-gas ointment like this, Anti-Gas Ointment No3 has  blue tin, Anti-Gas Ointment No6 has a green tin and is marked for tropical and temperate use; I am not sure of the other types' use.

[GCCE1854]

Wow! Very fun piece, and particularly special to have been saved in the family so long -- and in such good shape. I'd never heard of this ointment so looked it up in some old papers. Quite interesting, and you bought it for personal and home use, too.

 

This was part of an article from the Eastbourne Herald (22 Feb 1941, page 7) called "Get Used to Your Gas Mask":

CASUALTY TREATMENT

          Dealing with treatment of casualties from gas, Inspector Crighton said that persons suffering from tear gas would get flooding from the eyes. They should go home and wash the eyes thoroughly with warm water to which had been added salt, in the proportion of a teaspoonful to a pint of water, and when that was done there would be no serious after effects. With nose gases, which were in the form of tiny solids, the sufferer should go home, wash out the eyes, nose, mouth and throat with warm water and salt, or, if sickness were felt, bicarbonate of soda, instead of salt. In an hour the victim would be all right.

          The lung gases were more serious, and if persons got even a small dose into the lungs before the respirator could be got on, they must treat themselves as casualties. The cure was perfect rest and warmth and there must be no exertion as that would aggravate matters. Persons affected should sit down and wait until a first aid party came along to take them to the doctor. Mustard gas could contaminate by vapour or liquid and persons who had reason to believe they had been exposed to mustard gas vapour must wash thoroughly, beginning with the eyes, using half a teaspoonful of salt and a pint of water, and dealing with the rest of the body with soap and water. A blister from the mustard gas liquid was more serious and speed in dealing with it was all essential. It should be smeared with anti-gas ointment within five minutes, and that had to be washed off after about a minute. The ointment, of course, could not be used on the eyes, which must be dealt with by continuous washing.

 

The "Gloucester Citizen" (29 May 1941, page 2) printed the following:

          Everyone should carry a bottle of anti-gas ointment No. 2. They should protect the bottle by wrapping it in a piece of cloth (which could also be used in applying it) and pack it in their respirator case.

 

"Western Morning News" 12 Nov 1941, page 2:

 

Gloucestershire Echo, 07 Apr 1941, page 3: