t J
LS
Los
Lee
THE ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS
Sb
Qe =
Vee
on
The Lucky Dragon
Discovery of what had happened to the crewmen of the Lucky Dragon after
they arrived in Japan caused a furor, touched off by the natural sensitivity
of the Japanese concerning radiation exposure because of the experience of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
It also engendered a later nationwide hysteria con-
cerning radioactive contamination of tuna and other fish caught near the test
ee
at
ad
zone.
At that time Dr. Toshiyuki Kumatori, who would later visit Rongelap with
Dr. Conard's team in 1964 and would again accompany the team in 1972 as a
consultant to the Special Joint Committee, was working at the First National
Hospital of Tokyo.
Since he had worked at the University Hospital for
~
University Hospital.
Seven of the more severe cases were sent to the Tokyo
several years previously and knew the hospital director, he requested that
the other 16 be sent to his hospital.
During its visit to Tokyo in 1972, Dr.
Kumatori discussed generally what had happened to the men, who ranged in age
from 18 to 39 vears.
They suffered effects similar ta those experienced by
the Rongelapese, and they were given normal medication and treatment.
six months, case no.
After
14, exposed to an estimated 510 - 590 rads, who was the
radio operator and who had not informed anyone of their experience near
Bikini, died.
Dr. Kumatori stated that it was not clear whether this was
caused by his irradiation, or from another cause.
transfusions were given to some of
did not use disposable syringes,
the men,
He noted that blood
and since at
that
time hospitals
the possibility of the patient contracting
87