JOURNAL ARTICLE

Fire and Brimstone: SO2 as a Chemical Weapon in History.

  • Published In: Military Medicine, 2023, v. 188, n. 11/12. P. 286 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Turner, Matthew D; Sapp, Jason 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the historical use of sulfur dioxide (SO2) as a chemical weapon, particularly in ancient and early modern warfare. It details how SO2, produced by burning sulfur-containing materials, was employed primarily in enclosed siege tunnels to incapacitate or kill enemy combatants, with notable examples from Greek, Roman, and Persian conflicts. The article also discusses the health risks of SO2 exposure, including severe respiratory damage and potential fatality. Despite occasional proposals to use SO2 on open battlefields during the 19th century, its practical limitations and the advent of more effective chemical agents and explosives rendered it largely obsolete in warfare.

Additional Information

  • Source:Military Medicine. 2023/11, Vol. 188, Issue 11/12, p286
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Arts and Entertainment
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0026-4075
  • DOI:10.1093/milmed/usad160
  • Accession Number:173534106
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Military Medicine is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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