The French Biological Weapons Program - Deadly Cultures: Biological Weapons Since 1945 - page 113

ufacture of metal spikes) carrying spores of Bacillus anthracis and dis-
persed by a bomb with a 15-gram explosive charge could cause anthrax
septicemia in guinea pigs exposed to the spores.
• Resistance to explosion of anthrax spores: this research showed that ex-
plosion did not completely destroy the spores and that they could be
kept in stable suspension in a semisolid gel that, at the moment of explo-
sion, would coat the projectiles within the missile as well as the shrapnel
of the missile; experiments also allowed researchers to calculate the min-
imum infectious doses according to the missile employed.
• Spore dispersion using real bombs: two types of bombs (grenades and
conventional bombs) were used to demonstrate the capacity of spores to
contaminate all bodies in contact with the shrapnel, to spray all objects
in the vicinity with a fine mist, and to produce microbial aerosols.
• Effect of chemical agents on infection: the effect of chloroform on the
triggering of anthrax infection.
• Virulence of nonsporulated bacteria via the respiratory tract: experi-
ments showed that it was possible to transmit Brucella abortus to guinea
pigs using an aerosol.
• Dispersal within a room by explosion of nonsporulated bacteria.
• Dispersal of bacteria by inserting glass ampules into the explosive device.
• Production of microbial aerosols using explosive missiles.
• First real trials of the dispersal of anthrax spores by standard aerial
bomb: coated projectiles caused death in 91 percent of the injured
guinea pigs.
It was upon these technical foundations, results of the pre-1940 BW pro-
gram, that the French program was to be relaunched at the start of 1948.
In keeping with tenets enshrined in France's ratification of the Geneva
Protocol in 1926, it seems that the French authorities, despite resuming
their examination of offensive BW, intended to have recourse to this type
of armament only “in case of retaliation.” 13 This position was continually
reiterated by military leaders responsible for piloting the biological mili-
tary program and is mentioned frequently in the preamble to the min-
utes, which are classified, of meetings concerning the French biological
warfare program. This position was adhered to unswervingly throughout
the whole of the 1947-1972 period.
In April 1948 the Comité Scientifique des Poudres et Explosifs ap-
proved the proposals put forward by Surgeon General Costedoat at the