oy ae ee a ee ee a more quantitative 1 aging that can be nearly quantitatively degree of severity of the early stages and 1 worth investigating that closely resemble assarett (1956), Reproduction. It has long been recognized that reduced fertility may be induced by ionizing radiation in man by relatively small doses, possibly even in the dose range that the Marshallese received. Transient effects on fertility may have taken place in this group, but such effects were not observed. Studies such as sperm counts were not feasible. No amenorrhea was noted in the exposed women. Birth rate during the past five years in the exposed group was not reduced and, if anything, appears to have been higher than in the unexposed comparison population or in the Marshallese people generally. Therefore, the degree of sterility that may have been induced was not detectable based on rerified by biopsy at luring the past year, or unexposed group. y of this case, parti- these findings. ced with radiation to rslood smears stained if basophils per 4000 Growth and Development. Anthropometric measurements on the Marshallese children have revealed findings, previously reported [Conard, et al (1957)], alkaline phosphatase of incipient leukemia ported in radiologists in children receiving t [Simpson and rom diagnostic x-ray in patients receiving yurt-Brown and n [Maloney and gnificantly increased, », since the exposed hat leukemia will be mp ophthalmological cal of the radiationradiation is a well omic bombs opacities observed [ Cogan, (1957) on the basis that 200 r was the opacities. Therefore, ye too low to result A somewhat greater prevalence of miscarriages and stillbirths has been noted in the exposed women but, -due to the paucity of vital statistics in the Marshallese and the small number of people involved, the data are not readily amenable to statistical analyses. which were interpreted as suggestive of a slight lag in growth and development in the exposed children during the first few years after exposure. However, certain inconsistencies in the ages of the children were found and the data are being re-evaluated based on more exact age data obtained during the last survey. The results of this evaluation are not complete enough to make any statements at this time. Such an effect would not be inconsistent with the findings of Greulich, et al (1953) and Reynolds (1952) who reported slight growth retardation and delayed maturation in the Japanese children following exposure to the atom bomb. Genetic effects. Specific studies for genetic effects of their radiation exposure have not been conducted in the Marshallese. The babies born of irradiated parents have shown no gross abnormalities that can be detected on routine physical examinations. In view of the generally negative findings in the first generation offspring of the irradiated Japanese reported by Neel and Schull (1956), it seems unlikely that genetic studies in the Marshallese will be fruitful. Effects of beta irradiation of the skin About 90 per cent of the people in the more heavily exposed Rongelap group developed beta burns of the skin beginning about two weeks after exposure (Fig. 5). A lesser number of people also developed spotty epilation of the scalp (Fig. 6). The burns occurred as a result of fallout deposition on parts of the body not covered by clothing. Most of the burns were superficial and healed 321 sUb2794