there any vaginal bleeding. However, allo€ the pregnant women were tlood typed asa pre cautionary measure. So far, the exposure to radtation has not had a deletertous ofteet on preg nancy. Since the departure of the medical group from Kwajalein, one apparentiy nora. baby has been born. 2.8 DISCUSSION ON ‘THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THIS GROUP AND IN RADIATION INJURY There were few indications for the use of antibiotics when the principles of treatment previously mentioned were used. Individuals in the Rongelap and Ailinginae groups thal received antibiotics are listed in Table 2.5, Of the individuals treated with the antibiotics, the first three received it prophylactically and it would have been indicated had they not been trradiated. The indication for its use in the next three was questionable. There was a definite indication for its use only in the next three individuals and again it would have been given for stmilar conditions in unirradiated individuals. The last two individuals with furuncles (botls) would probably have responded equally well to surgical treatment alone, since the infection was well localized and easily drained. In general, it can be concluded that human beings with the degree of depression of hematopoiesis noted did not need antibiotics prophylactically. With severer degrees of radiation injury resulting ina greater depression of hematopoiesis, prophylactic antibtotie therapy may be indicated in selected cases. If the number of individuals is small enough so that changes in the blood count, temperature, and clinical evidence of infection can be followed closely, it would appear that antibiotics should not be started until there is a clear-cut clinical indication for the use of these agents.