scope:

The purpose of this handbook, is to provide a guide for medical officers on the Medical Aspects of NBC Operations. The handbook is intended as compilation of reference material and as a source of information for training. It does not constitute an official position of NATO nations; certain aspects however are already covered by STANAGs and this is being extended. In addition it provides the basic philosophy for the development of concepts of operations, and in the management, including evacuation and treatment, of NBC casualties as well as of conventional battle cqasualties in an NBC environment. There are many unresolved problems and it must be appreciated that a number of the philosophical concepts presented are provisional; their validity will require reassessment in the light of future trials and exercises. The handbook is in 3 parts, Part I - Nuclear, Part II - Biological, and Part III - Chemical. The parts are presented separately and each is self-contained; although they should now, however, be considered in isolation. There is some necessary overlap and several aspects are common to all 3 parts, for example combined injuries; the effect of radiation on the response to infection and on the healing of thermal and chemical burns; psychological factors and moral; public health aspects; and medical care in a mass casualty situation. It should be noted that detailed information on the treatment of burns and traumatic injuries is contained in the Emergency War Surgery Handbook covered by STANAG 2068, which should be used in conjunction with this Handbook.