5)
With the growing dependence on imported
foods and on moneyas the medium of exchange,
cases of malnutrition are encountered. Night
blindness due to vitamin A deficiency has been observed on several occasions, mainlyin children.
The most serious epidemic during the 20 vears
covered by this report was the poliomyelitis epi-
tributed to poor oral hygiene, inadequate dental
care, and possibly nutritional deficiency. Some of
the younger generation are now showingthe bene-
fits of improved dental care. Dentists have participated in several survevs, and their general conclu-
sion is that poor oral hygiene is showingits usual
results: a high caries rate in teen-age children.
severe periodontallesions in adults (heavycalculus,
demic in 1963. The ‘polio ward” at the Armer
Ishoda Memorial Hospital in Majuro (whic aow
operates as a physical rehabilitation center and
orthopedic surgical ward) was created to care for
the victims of this disaster. Rongelap Atoll was
stricken in January/February of 1963 with 23 children and 3 adults taken ill. One of the adults died
and two of the children hadsevere residual paresis.
Venereal disease appears to be on the increase.
Dental caries has been a notable finding during
physical examinations of the Marshallese; it is at-
loss of alveolar bone), and edentulous mouths in
the aging. Nosignificant difference between ex-
posed and unexposed Marshallese has been seen exceptfor a slightly greater incidence and severityof
periodontaldisease in the exposed group. It is not
known whetherthis finding is related to radiation
exposure.
Fish poisoning is common in the Marshall
Islands. Symptomsare usually minor but occasionally severe or even fatal. Inflammation of mu-
Table 8
Physical Findings* in Rongelap and Utirik Adults, 1970-1974
Rongelap exposed
(68 examined)
Rongelap unexposed
(135 examined)
Curik exposed
(117 examined)
No.
%
No.
%
No.
2
3
7
7
1
2
3
11
8.
2.9
4.4
10.2
10.2
0
1.5
29
4.4
16.2
11.8
I
i
2
li
2
2
5
5
-
0.7
0.7
1.5
8.1
1.5
1.5
0
3.7
3.7
0
8
6
2
1
l
3
-
0
)
568
1
{7
08
)
08
Zo
0
~
2
8
1
1
0
0
2.9
11.8
es)
1.5
1
2
16
-
0
0.7
1.5
11.9
0
0
I
2
17
~
O8
0
17
145
9
0
Osteoarthritis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Prostatic hvpertrophy
Rheumatic heart disease
3
3
1
4.4
0
4.4
1.5
12
I
1
1
8.9
0.7
0.7
0.7
1
~
-
Spermatocele
1
Acne
Anemia
Arteriosclerosis (mild)
Arteriosclerosis (mod.-sev )
Asthma
Atrial fibrillation
Bradvcardia
Cardiac enlargement
Cervical erosion
Cvstourethro-rectocele
Deafness
Emphysema
Epilepsy
Hernia
Hypertension
Leprosy. arrested
Migraine
Obesity (gross)
-
Rheumatoidarthritis
Svphilis (?) (arrested)
Tumor,benign (except thyroid)
Tumor, malignant
Varicocele
2
7
1
2
2
1
-
2.9
3
10.2
20
1.5
2
1.5
2.9
2.9
1.5
0
*Findings on ophthalmology and diabetes are reported separately.
2
4
2
1
2
2.2
14.8
1.5
-
9
14
120
t
8
1.5
-
1.5
0.7
L.5
1
-
2.9
%
-
O8
f
y
0
0
4
08
a
1)