CHAPTER 10.2 HEALTH Throughout the period of activities at the Proving Ground, the general health of all personnel was good and compared favorably with normal standards. This is not considered to be unusual in view of the requirement that all overseas employees pass a preemployment physical examination which included personal examination by a physician, complete laboratory tests and an x-ray examination. No epidemics were encountered and the incidence of intestinal ailments was consistently normal indicating good general sanitary control. No specific tropical diseases were prevalent; however, it was noted that fungus conditions of the skin and feet and other skin diseases usually found under similar climatic conditions were common ailments but never reached unusual proportions. Time lost due to such ailments was minimal and care was taken in treatment and medical supervision to eliminate malingering. Mention should be made of the fact that infections of any type fail to respond to treatment as readily as under climatic conditions usually found in the United States, and considerable treatment beyond normal was required in such cases. Initially, by agreement with the Military Establishment, medical services were provided for H&N personnel by garrison medical personnel; unusual and dental cases were transported to Kwajalein or Oahu for treatment, Recruitment of suitable medical personnel proved difficult by reason of the isolated nature of the site, the pay scales offered and the standards of competence established as necessary. However, by July 1949 a suitable candidate was employed and after interview and indoctrination at Los Alamos and indicated approval, was sent to the jobsite, arriving there in August. Unfortunately this man became mentally i11 and ultimately took his own life, His successors, chosen on even more stringent standares, undertook and carried out their duties without difficulty. An H&N dispensary was established on Eniwetok Island on June 26, 1949 with one head nurse in attendance, Om October 19, 1949 the Medical Depart~ ment moved to Parry Island and established a three—bed dispensary. As the population at the Jobsite increased it became mecessary to provide medical service on all the other principal islands north of Japtan. At Eniwetok Island the Army maintained a hospital adequately staffed with physicians and surgeons, At Parry the dispensary continued to operate until April 19, 1950, at which time a well-equipped hospital was estab- lished, staffed by a physician and a minimm of four aidmen. The hospital was equipped to handle X-ray, laboratory study, and diathermy and had facilities for six bed-patients, with additional facilities available to meet emergencies. The adjacent barracks, occupied as living quarters by the aldmen could be converted into additional hospital space should the need arise, The hospital provided 24-hour daily service with at least three aidmen on duty during the day and one aidman on night duty. In July 1950 dental facilities were added to meet the increasing need for such service, 102