~128.6.4
Platelets.
ar leukocytes.
fi.
and the crani
Platelets docrcased at a rate between that of the red cells
Perhaps platelets are as sensitive an index to expos-
ure to acute irradiation as the greanutocytes in the rabbit (Jacobson et al.).
In
swine, goats and dogs, tha decscase in pintelets is definitely less rapid than that
of the granular leukocytes (Crontiite).
Frequently the platelets trend upwards for
4-5 days aftcr issadiation following which there is a decrease until platelets disappear or become constant at a lewer
level.
Above doses of radiation that produce
a 90% mortality, the response of the platelcts is maximal with platelets disappear-
ing from the circulation by the lith day.
With lesser doses of radiction, the
platelcts do not completely discopear but become constent at a lower level,
level is apparently a function of the dose of radiation received.
relatively constent level may
Tie
|
This
This nev,
be maintained for 2-3 weeks.
xclative response of granulocytes and plateicts at diffcrent per cent
mortolitics is iliustrated in figures 6 ond 7,
With a 10% mortality the platecicts
approach zero but ere maintained constant at about 5% of the normal ronce.
At this
doce the granulocytopenia is oaly moderate and infections were not prominent clini~
cally.
In contrast to this at CO% and 100% mortality, the platelets and the gronu-
lecytes rcach zero and infections ond hemorrhace are obviously present before death.
The foresoing statements cover the general picture of what occurs to the peripheral blood clements after a single intense exposure to ionizing radiation.
How
ever, this docs not give a sufficiently complete picture of various facts and observations about the response of the bicod to total body or to rather large seqmene
Ta om, de
tat exposure as scen in therapeutic irradiation of some malignancies, or to what
misht be anticipated followings exposure to mined radiations of differcnt penetra=
bilitics.
8.6.5
Honstotopicet Findinss in the Marshallese Exposed to Fallout Radiations.
In Norch 1954, sroups of Marshanitese and Amesicans were accidentally ezposed to
cQy Libs
wv
megateon dovice.
The groups wore observ
Q
a
fallout gama and beta radisticns fron a