THE ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS

The Lucky Dragon

Discovery of what had happened to the crewmen of the Lucky Dragon after
they arrived in Japan caused a furor, touched off by the natural sensitivity
of the Japanese concerning radiation exposure because of the experience of
Hiroshima and Magasaki.

It also engendered a later nationwide hysteria con-

cerning radioactive contamination of tuna and other fish caught near the test

zone.
At that time Dr. Toshiyuki Kumatori, who would later visit Rongelap with
Dr. Conard's team in 1964 and would again accompany the team in 1972 as a
consultant to the Special Joint Committee, was working at the First National
Hospital of Tokyo.

Seven of the more severe cases were sent to the Tokyo

University Hospital.

Since he had worked at

the University Hospital

for

several years previously and knew the hospital director, he requested that
the other 16 be sent to his hospital.

During its visit to Tokyo in 1972, Dr.

Kumatori discussed generally what had happened to the men, who ranged in age
from 18 to 39 vears.
the Rongelapese,
six months,

and

case no.

They suffered effects similar to those experienced by
they were given normal medication and
14,

exposed

to an estimated 510 - 590 rads,

radio operator and who had not informed anyone of
Bikini,

died.

Dr.

treatment.

Kumatori stated

who was

the

their experience near

that it was not clear whether

caused by his irradiation, or from another cause.

After

this was

He noted that blood

transfusions were piven to some of the men, and since at that time hospitals

did not use disposable syringes,

the possibility of the patient contracting
7

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