-24. Delays in the treatment of retarded growth and development due to hypothyroidism (pp. 110-113) were probably the result of two factors. One was difficulty in confirming the existence of retardation because of a lack of standard growth and development curves in the Marshallese population. The second was a peculiarity (unrelated to radiation exposure) in the chemical compounds that bind iodine in the blood of the Marshallese, which obscured the diagnosis of hypothyroidism when it was originally suspected. When the diagnosis of hypothyroidism was made, treatment of the retarded individuals was started promptly. 5. As the report indicates (pp. 114-116), the thyroid nodules will require the continued surveillance provided by the medical survey team, The accidental removal of parathyroid tissue occurs in a fraction of cases of thyroid surgery when the best thyroid surgeons operate. It is unfortunate that this complication occurred in the case described in the Report since it usually does require continued therapy for the hypoparathyroidism that follows, 6. It would be inappropriate to discuss here conflicting views of the abortive visit of a Japanese team in December 1971 and the unsuc~ cessful survey by the medical team led by Dr. R.A. Conard, Brookhaven National Laboratory, in March 1972 (pp. 121-132). Fortunately, the atmosphere cleared sufficiently to permit a completely satisfactory medical survey in September 1972. At that time, consultants fr-m Japan, Great Britain and the U. S. Public Health Service, chosen by the Special Joint Committee and the High Commissioner, accompanied the survey team along with members of the Special Joint Committee. The reports of con- sultants are included in Appendix 1 of the Committee Report under consideration here. The consultants commented favorably on the work of the survey team. This section of the Report also comments on the need for radiological surveys of Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls. Such surveys have been conducted, will be repeated at intervals, and will be extended to include a resurvey of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls. In this and other sections, there are references to difficulties of the survey team in communicating with the Marshallese because of a language barrier and differences in customs. Dr. Conard, who is a gentle and compassionate person, has sought to overcome these difficulties in the past and enjoys good relations with the inhabitants during the survey visits. He stated recently that he welcomes the opportunity to rectify any previously unarticulated misunderstandings and considers this airing of grievances desirable, wR or tee FoRRR Te we . . oy Vee Se wwe ee ts «7 .