Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, a personal story of medical testing of army volunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war. Psychotropic chemical warfare james ketchum, the psychiatrist who was at the center of u. Page 368 the quartermaster general, under the authority of the secretary of war, shall be charged with the purchase and procurement for the army of all supplies of standard manufacture and of all supplies common to two or more branches but not with the purchase or the procurement of special or technical articles to be used or issued exclusively by other supply departments. It is a detailed autobiographical reconstruction of the edgewood arsenal program of evaluating possible incapacitating agents in human volunteers enlisted men during the 1960s. Know your world war i chemical weapons three substances were responsible for most chemical weapons injuries and deaths during world war i. Secrets almost forgotten, ketchum explains, it was my purpose to create a contemplative, suspenseful mood in order to heighten interest, hoping to. Ketchum is the author of chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten 4. Ketchum said that although he abstained from taking bz, he was sometimes mystified by what he saw at edgewood. A primitive type of flamethrower was employed as early as the 5th cent.
Zinsser park, in northwestern hastings between broadway and the old croton aqueduct, is named for him. First person narratives are usually not worthwhile reading. Department established the chemical warfare service cws as part of the wartime, but not the regular, army. Usa today reports on a new book called chemical warfare.
Secrets almost forgotten is the first and only account that exists revealing. In addition to providing an important window into the formerlyclassified world of us chemical weapons research, chemical warfare is a valuable source of information on a plethora of psychoactive compounds, including bz qnb, lsd, thc, scopolamine, and atropine. Secrets almost forgotten is the first and only account that exists revealing the u. List of books and articles about biochemical warfare online. Chlorine gas, used on the infamous day of april 22, 1915, produces a greenishyellow cloud that smells of bleach and immediately irritates the eyes, nose, lungs, and throat of those exposed to it. James ketchums chemical warfare is an autobiography of a lead researcher at edgewood arsenal during the 1960s, a presentation of some of his key findings, and an apologetic for testing incapacitating agents on military and prisoner volunteers. Secrets almost forgotten is no ordinary tome about the basics of chemical warfare, but a textbook quality memoir by a doctor at mds edgewood proving grounds working with incapacitating agents such as lsd and bz in the 1960s. In his memoir, chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten. The book boasts charts, graphs and experimental reports a veritable goldmine of information for those who are interested in psychedelics, deliriants, or chemical warfare. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten 2006 edition. List of books and articles about biochemical warfare. A memoir of chemical weapons research federation of. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten by james s. Secrets almost forgotten, a personal story of medical testing of.
Soldiers, politicians and people working in the chemical industry will find this book very informative. A personal story of medical testing of army volunteers by james s. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten james s ketchum m d, james s. Army chemical corps conducted classified human subject. The plant was sold to harshaw chemical company in 1955. The history of the subject is covered as are the men behind the story, the various classifications of gases according to their composition and physiological effects, tables, figures, statistics, and all. The specter of future gas warfare left by the war revived earlier efforts to ban chemical warfare. Chemical warfare, chemical weapons, cold war, edgewood arsenal md. A personal story of medical testing of army volunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten open library. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
It was a decade in which thousands of army enlisted men served as volunteers for the secrets testing of chemical agents. A personal story of medical testing of army volunteers 2006, dr. Jun 03, 2019 in his memoir, chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten. Secrets almost forgotten is the first and only account that exists. Shoots down secret report that syria used a hallucinogen. Dec 19, 2008 author of chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten chemical warfare watchers, from scientists to policy advocates, often wonder what went on at the army chemical center during the 1960s. History military biological chemical warfare books alibris. James ketchum, who oversaw the american militarys hallucinogen weapon experiments and wrote about them in his book chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, doesnt believe. Ketchum has written a book, chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, about his experiences of testing bz on hundreds of volunteers. In modern warfare, chemical weapons were first used in world war i 191418, during which gas warfare inflicted more than one million of the casualties suffered by combatants in that conflict and killed an estimated 90,000. Chemical warfare by wachtel, curt and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Chemical warfare left an indelible imprint on world war i. Learn more at a chapter of ketchums book is devoted. In addition to providing an important window into the formerlyclassified world of us chemical weapons research, chemical warfare is a valuable. The actual historical record, however, has until now remained disturbingly incomplete. A closeup look at chemical warfare and signals in animals and plants helix books by william agosta and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In 1917, the war department harnessed the scientific prowess of the civilian bureau of mines to research gas warfare, while assembling military units devoted solely to chemical weaponry, outfitting regiments with. James sanford ketchum november 1, 1931 may 27, 2019 was a psychiatrist and united states army medical corps officer who worked for almost a decade 19601969 on the u. Now one of the leading participants in that enterprise, dr. Secrets almost forgotten is published by chembook, 2304 fairbanks drive, santa rosa, ca 95403. Alexander t shulgin get textbooks new textbooks used. Under the authority of the federal advisory committee act faca p. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A personal story of medical testing of army volunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war james s ketchum edgewood arsenal.
Author of chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten chemical warfare watchers, from scientists to policy advocates, often wonder what went on at the army chemical center during the 1960s. It is a balanced book, with a good mix of chemistry, tactical use of the weapons, defensive measures, production of the agents, and the effects on the environment. These agents have generally been considered chemical weapons and, more narrowly, constitute a specific type of incapacitating agent. Technical information included in a long appendix will greatly interest the. Ketchums book chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten is the first and only account that exists revealing the us armys research into chemical warfare that took place in one of the most tumultuous settings the united states has experienced. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, a personal story of medical testing of army volunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war 19551975 2006, 2nd edition 2007, foreword by alexander shulgin, chembook, inc. I havent read the book yet, but the article about the book is perhaps unintentionally humorous. The effects are very different to those portrayed by hollywood. Ancient armies attacking or defending fortified cities threw burning oil and fireballs. A brief history of chemical war science history institute. Usa todays reporting style just seems to clash with anecdotes such as these. Ketchum, jim oneil, alexander shulgin hardcover, 360 pages, published 2006 by chembook,inc. Pdf edgewood arsenal human experiments semantic scholar. Chemical warfare watchers, from scientists to policy advocates, often wonder what went on at the army chemical center during the 1960s.
Army s research into chemical warfare that occurred in one of the most tumultuous settings the united states ever has experienced. Ketchum, has published a memoir entitled chemical warfare. It was a decade in which thousands of army enlisted men served as volunteers for the secret testing of chemical agents. James ketchum, who conducted lsd experiments on soldiers. Armys research into chemical warfare that occurred in one of the most.
Insider secrets and strategies every man should know to win thei. This selfpublished book has the aesthetics of a high school yearbook, with numerous illustrations and photographs in the layout. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten a personal story of medical testing of army volunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war 19551975 by james s. Ketchum said that although he abstained from taking bz, he was. Dec 03, 2010 chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten by james s. Ketchum states that russia was procuring large quantities of lsd, so there was a need for the us to keep up in research. Full text of chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten. Chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten2nd edition a personal story of medical testing of army volunteers by m. The pirate bay the galaxys most resilient bittorrent site. Selecting volunteer astronauts ready to go into inner. Gas caused 1 million of 26 million world war i casualties, including over 72,000 of 272,000 u. Next year, a classaction lawsuit brought against the.
Ketchum has released his fascinating selfpublished memoir, chemical warfare. Ketchum said he had embraced the program in hopes of developing. Jul 01, 2007 chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, james s. James ketchum, who conducted mindaltering experiments on. Us weapons research is raising a stink technology the. Secrets almost forgotten, by 75yearold james ketchum, a former army shrink who participated in efforts to try to weaponize drugs like lsd and marijuana. A personal story of medical testing of army volunteers, ketchum writes. James ketchum, who oversaw the american militarys hallucinogen weapon experiments and wrote about them in his book chemical. Review written by bernie weisz, historian december 16, 2010 pembroke pines, florda, usa contact. The decrease in the median plasma level between one and two hours was extrapolated to indicate the time at which plasma levels would decline to half the median value at one hour. Secrets almost forgotten, a personal story of medical testing of armyvolunteers with incapacitating chemical agents during the cold war 19551975 james s. Largely forgotten in the confines of history, the development of the u. Secrets almost forgotten, primarily detailing his times at edgewood. Psychiatrist colonel james ketchum, considered the cold war expert on psychoactive chemicals, defends the experiments in his book, chemical warfare.
Psychochemical warfare involves the use of psychopharmacological agents mindaltering drugs or chemicals with the intention of incapacitating an adversary through the temporary induction of hallucinations or delirium. In 2006, he selfpublished a memoir, chemical warfare. The approximate halflife by this method is 84 about 160 minutes, in good agreement with the estimate calculated by aghajanian and bing. Jul 09, 2008 ketchum has written a book, chemical warfare secrets almost forgotten, about his experiences of testing bz on hundreds of volunteers. Reviews of books and movies relating to psychoactives. Chemical weapon, any of several chemical compounds, usually toxic agents, that are intended to kill, injure, or incapacitate enemy personnel.