Poisonous Gas

I was awakened by a terrific crash . . . I could hardly breathe . . . I was put into an ambulance and taken to the base . . . I suppose I resembled a kind of fish with my mouth open gasping for air. It seems as if my lungs were gradually shutting up and my heart pounded away in my ears like the beat of a drum. On looking at the chap next to me I felt sick, for green stuff was oozing from the side of his mouth . . . I dozed off for short periods . . . I was always surprised when I found myself awake, for I felt sure that I would die in my sleep. So little was known about treatment for various gases.

—William Pressey, Gassed at Messines Ridge, 1917