eee ~— ri At about the same time that epilation appeared in the grcup, mall skin lesions became noticeable on the folds of theneckythe ee forehead, shoulders, and arms. They appeared to be superficial and at first were hyperpigmented. As time went on, the lesions, which becane blister like, began to peel leaving a whitish depigmented area in the center. The skin sanifestations continued to appear throughout the nonth of March, all going through the same cycle and involving most of the na tives. The most severe cases occurred on the feet with one exception one man developed a deep ulcer behind one ear. By this time all of the skin lesions except the ear have virtually healed and it appears that re Pigmentation is taking place, Similar findings but in a lower percentage and at a later date occurred in the Ailinginae group. One American developed what appeared te be superficial radiation lesions on the back. They were hyperpigmen~ ted and behaved as the others. Throughout, there have been no demonstrative systemic symptcas other than an epidemic of colds in the Rongelap group. A few cases of secondary infection from skin lesions and some wnerplained high fever in children responded well to penicillin with no sensitization reaction. The white blood counts reached a minimm during the latter part of March with a late depression in blood platelets becoming apparent. The level of the mean counts being well below normal mean counts. Icwest counts were about 30,000 compared to a normal mean of over 300,000 for the natives. ‘There is a definite upswing in the entire blood picture of both the natives and Americans at the present tine. Qn about 20 March, several cases of radiation burns were reported aboard beth the USS BATROKO and the USS PHILIP. Examination showed that in almost all cases there were discrete areas around the belt line which corresponded well to some lesions seen on the natives. History indicated that these lesions developed soretime between 3 March and 15 March. ALL were in the process of healing with desquazation and xild depignentation and were quite superficial. The whole body dose was less than 1OR and there were no other symptoms. Three M-boat operators from TG 7.3 presented film bacges reading =" from 85 to 95R and were sent to Kwajalein to be observed by the nedical team on 16 March. Since that time they have had no symptoms, no skin or findings nor blood changes. It is likely some discrepancy in badging of the wearing of badges mst have taken place as careful examination n to which radiatio the in badges by densitometer revealed nothing mousual they were sudjected. cases in a ccoserva~ It was decided at the outset to manage all rizentatica oms as they arcee, ready at anyJeime sew g e thei bein t bot trentren tive treaer, with aann of whole blood or platelets if indicated. 4 avoiding expe to perfora transfusions e‘ther | Sick call was managed daily