o
A Report to the British Medicel Research Council
The British Medical Research Council is a governmental
- body and was directed by the Prime Minister on 29 March 1955 ;
to abpoint a committee under the Ghairnanship of Sir Harold
Himsworth to review the existing scientific evidence on the
medical aspects of nuclear and allied radiation.
This report consists of eight chapters.
;
The first four
NN
chapters deal with basic understandings of radiation and its
piological effects, the fifth chapter with existing and foreseeable exposures due both to peacetime uses of atomic energy
as well as to nuclear detonations in testing and in warfare,
the sixth part with recommendations of permissible exposure
and ‘the seventh and eight parts with summaries and conclusions.
Chapter I is an introduction to the report.
Chapter II discusses in simple terms the nature of
radiation an@ its action on living cells.
It deals with well
known units, methods of measurement and biological effects.
Chapter III discusses the effects of radiation on the
health of the individual.
It includes discussions of the early
effects upon the Japanese at Hiroshirz and Nagasaki and the.
later development of an increased incidence of leukemia among
The British state they have demonstrated en
inereased incidence of leuienta in pz :tents with arthritis
the spine treated with x-rays.
ft
the survivors.
<r
They cite also American
statistics on the increased evidence
f leukemia in radiolclists.
They conclude that radiations can iné.ice leukemia but do net
18
Eneltosu.e Tit
i
-~iq-