So vivid were the memories of the first use of 'mustard gas' (sulfur mustard) by the Germans in World War I that the United States government began to prepare for chemical warfare even before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. This work was also spurred by the fury of war in Europe and reports of Japanese use of sulfur mustard against the Chinese. The U.S. preparations included the establishment of war-related research programs organized by President Roosevelt under the White House Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD). Two groups under the OSRD became involved in secret testing programs concerned with mustard agents (Sulfur and nitrogen mustard) and Lewisite: The Committee on Medical Research; This group studied protective ointments and other treatments through the National Research Council's Committee on Treatment of Gas Casualties, and The National Defense Research Committee; This group studied protective clothing and gas masks through military units such as the Chemical Warfare Service.

"Committee to Survey the Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite, Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences."

1. Introduction -- 2. Methods of Literature Collection and Survey -- 3. History and Analysis of Mustard Agent and Lewisite Research Programs in the United States -- 4. Findings from the Public Hearing Process -- 5. Chemistry of Sulfur Mustard and Lewisite -- 6. Relationship of Mustard Agent and Lewisite Exposure to Carcinogenesis -- 7. Nonmalignant Respiratory Effects of Mustard Agents and Lewisite -- 8. Ocular Effects of Mustard Agents and Lewisite -- 9. Dermatological Effects of Mustard Agents and Lewisite -- 10. Other Physiological Effects of Mustard Agents and Lewisite -- 11. Relationship of Mustard Agent and Lewisite Exposure to Psychological Dysfunction -- 12. Summary of Findings and Recommendations -- App. A: Scientific and Background Presentations Made to the Committee -- App. B: Excerpt from The Residual Effects of Warfare Gases -- App. C: Involvement of the National Academy of Sciences Complex in World War II Research Programs: A Summary -- App. D: Excerpts from Chamber Tests with Human Subjects I, II, and IX. Naval Research Laboratory Reports Nos. P-2208 and P-2579.